Five Smooth Stones
Just a note: Something went wrong the last time I posted, so if you are a subscriber who usually receives an email letting you know I have a new post, it is possible that you missed my March 12th post entitled “Well, This is Embarrassing!” Please go to my site to check it out!
A few weeks ago I was on a walk during a sunny early spring mid-day with the sole purpose of wanting to hear from God–really, about anything. I just wanted to silence my voice and hear something from Him. Now, for those of you who think this sounds strange, I don’t really expect to hear an audible voice, although that would be pretty cool and I wonder if it really would sound like James Earl Jones. For me, hearing from God is more like an unexpected thought that crosses my heart and mind that I know wasn’t manufactured in my own imagination. That voice may bring to mind an important truth, a reminder, a person or an awesome idea. Some may attribute these kinds of things to conscience, intuition or simply human imagination. Maybe sometimes. But I know that God speaks and John 10:27 reminds me that I can hear His voice as I continue to follow Him.
On this particular day I had no agenda in my head but wasn’t really getting any earth-shattering thoughts when suddenly this old Sunday School song from my youth popped into my head. That’s odd, or so I thought. The song is about the true story of David and Goliath from the Old Testament. Just in case some of you would remember the song, I will include the lyrics here so you can sing along. Motions are optional.
Only a boy named David;
Only a little sling.
Only a boy named David;
But he could pray and sing.
Only a boy named David;
Only a rippling brook.
Only a boy named David;
And five little stones he took.
And one little stone went in the sling and the sling went round and round.
And one little stone went in the sling and the sling went round and round.
And round and round and round and round and round and round and round.
And one little stone went up in the air…
And the Giant came tumbling down!
Well, that was fun. Why would God bring this song to mind? I’ve heard many illustrations from this Biblical account referring to the “Goliaths” we may have in our lives. I have some. You likely do as well. Those circumstances that seem like unbeatable giants. The story can be found in 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. Once little David had finally convinced King Saul that he could confront this giant from whom all others cowered in fear, Saul had him dress in battle armor. But David wasn’t used to armor and he refused to go into battle with this untested gear. Instead, we read in verse 40 of that chapter, “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.” I love this. The shepherd’s staff is significant because it symbolizes God’s protection and guidance. But what about the five stones? That thought stuck with me as I continued my walk. Stones are small rocks. Christ is the Solid Rock. There are many references to God as our Rock, the foundation upon whom I choose to build my life. If you’ve read my first blog posts, you know how much this symbolism means to me and why I call my blog “Cleft Dweller”. So I believe these five stones could represent five basic truths that I can live by and that can equip me for battling those giants that come along in life. I continued in my thoughts and God gave me the following:
My Five Stones:
- Love Me. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
- Love others. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
- Learn from Me. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
- Listen to Me. “You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)
- Live on mission. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
That’s what I got during my walk. I quickly typed my five stones into the notes app on my phone so I wouldn’t forget them. And now I challenge you to consider what five stones you will use to confront the giants in your life. Try listening to God. In the meantime, you are welcome to use mine. 🙂 Side note here: Although David chose not to use armor, I am reminded that the New Testament encourages us in Ephesians 6:10-18 to put on the full armor of God to be prepared for battling the enemy. Both of these illustrations emphasize the importance of knowing God, knowing His Word and living with a heightened awareness of the battles we face and the power we have through the Holy Spirit.
Now, if I could just get that little song out of my head…
