By Walker Lane
Most of us have heard of David, the young shepherd who defeated the giant Goliath with a stone (1st Samuel chapter 17). David’s weapon of choice was not a sword. No, he was no warrior, so he went with the familiar sling shot instead.
Metaphorically speaking, David’s sword was a rock. Our sword is a rock also, and our Rock is Jesus. He is our weapon and how we fight the enemy.
According to Bennett Tanton in his book The War You Didn’t Know You Were In, scripture is our sword, and prayer is our fire support.
The Israelite army was David’s fire support in the valley of Elah, but they didn’t step foot on the battlefield until the rock soared through the air and took out the enemy.
David killed the giant first, then the Israelite army stormed the field. The rock had to come first. Our Rock must come first also. We must first have Jesus and His Word before our fire support can engage. Jesus first, then prayer. For what is prayer without believing in the One to whom we pray? What power can be found in prayer that has no recipient?
Our sword is scripture (Ephesians 6:17), scripture is God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16), the Word is Jesus (Revelation 19:13), and Jesus is the Rock (Acts 4:11 & 1st Corinthians 10:4).
Ephesians 6:17 tells us to also wear the helmet of salvation.
Goliath was hit smack dab in the middle of the forehead, the place he was least protected. Therefore, we need to cover our heads with the helmet of salvation so that when the enemy tries to hit us, we are bullet-proof.
Our responsibility under God is to take up the shield of faith (believe), put on the helmet of salvation (commit to Jesus and be baptized) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (turn to Jesus and stay in the Word). And pray (use your fire support).
The Rock was there from the beginning (John 1:1). He was with David on that battlefield when he took down Goliath. Jesus was that Rock that defeated the giant. The Word of God is literal and metaphorical. It’s beautiful, and the deeper we delve into it, the deeper the meaning we will grasp.
Our sword is the Word. His name is Jesus, and He is our Rock. So, no matter what giant you face, pick up the Rock and tap into that fire support. Turn to Jesus, and pray.
Ephesians 6:13- 17: Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.