Devotion 1.6.16

Five Smooth Stones.  That's a name for a ministry of some kind because it does come from scripture in a story that captures the imagination.

Five Smooth Stones.  "Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch.  His sling was in his hand and he approached the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40)

Five Smooth Stones.  Goliath has been in the news lately, a storm misnamed because it did what it promised.  It taunted us for a week before it hit, and when it hit, it hit with a fury that caused record snow fall and drifts in areas ill-equipped and continued as it flooded areas, all still feeling the impact.  There was no David in this storm's path.

Five Smooth Stones.  David selects five smooth stones from a brook indicating the brook was active and flowing.  The stones were small enough to effectively use in a sling from a shepherd who was an expert in the craft.  According to Malcolm Gladwell in his book on David and Goliath (by the same title), a stone thrown from a sling can reach a speed well over 150 mph. 

Five Smooth Stones.  "And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.  And the Philistine said to David, 'Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?'"  Goliath had no respect for Israel, nor the youth reluctantly chosen to represent Israel, the army of Israel, and the king who had fallen from God's favor, Saul. 

Five Smooth Stones.  Christ is our David, standing between us and sin and death.  Christ is our smooth stone.  We pray that others hear of Christ and the peace that his love and grace can provide even in insurmountable odds.

Hope Men's Ministry