By Shane Kastler
Sometimes life goes according to plan. Usually it does not. And when it does not, sometimes it's because things turn out worse than you thought they would. But then again, sometimes, things turn out better.
King Solomon wrote, “The race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In other words, it's not always the fastest runner who wins the race; and it's not always the better solider who wins the battle. While this might be discouraging if you are the fastest or the toughest, it can also be encouraging if you are not. And ironically, one the best examples of this was Solomon's father, King David.
On paper, young David had zero chance of defeating Goliath in battle. King Saul told David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33) Goliath was a seasoned warrior who had been fighting longer than David had been alive. David was a mere shepherd boy who had never fought in a battle. On paper, David had no chance. But the battle wouldn't be fought on paper. It would be fought on the battlefield.
David's response to Saul is very telling, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
While David had no experience fighting men, he had killed both the lion and the bear in combat. Furthermore, David attributed his victories over the beasts to God's protection and provision. And he knew that God would also grant him victory against Goliath.
We all know how this story ends. David kills Goliath and goes on to become a great solider in his own right, as well as a successful king in Israel. But David didn't start out with the victories, the accolades, or the success. He was a “nobody” that God raised up. Today if you are facing an uphill battle, remember who is really in control. God might not grant you the victory you seek, but then again He might grant you a different victory that is greater than what you seek. Trust in Him, come what may, and don't be shocked if He grants you an unexpected victory.
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