The Choices We Make

Long before David the shepherd became David the king, he began to make faith-filled choices. When David was about to face Goliath it says in 1 Samuel 17:40a; 49, And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. Thus David, with God’s help, ended the enemy’s threat.

Why did David pick up five smooth stones and put them into his shepherd’s bag? Was David aware there were four other giants related to Goliath (see 2 Samuel 21:22)? I think he did know that, and that knowledge informed a faith-filled decision. He grabbed five smooth stones (one for Goliath and one each for the remaining four giants). By David and by his servants, all five of the giants were eventually eradicated.

The choices we make today can have both a present and a future result. The choices we make go out, like ripples, into the future. Our choices affect not only our own lives, but the lives of those who surround us (David’s godly life and actions emboldened his servants to their own great feats) and can have generational impacts.

This year, when an imposing giant is threatening you and yours, face it with faith. And before you engage your giant, ask God if there are any other related giants. And then, by faith, choose to pick up a smooth stone for each one of them today. And then put those extra stones in your shepherd’s bag and you, with God’s help, will be ready to face your future!

—Paul