1 Sam 17:40 (KJV)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 which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
I often wonder if Samuel knew the debate, speculation, and theological discourse that his comment ‘5 smooth stones’ would launch. Over the years I have heard the favorites (5) stones meant J.E.S.U.S. and numerically in the bible (5) stood for grace, while others say ‘it’s just 5 rocks and means nothing”. I ask a friend of mine about adding another theory to the discourse and he said “What’s another?, go for it”, so hear I go.
David was a worshipper. He spent hours in the lonely shepherd's field singing and worshipping God. The sheep heard David’s serenades to God every night. The powerful thing about a worshipper is, a worshipper receives divine revelation that others don’t receive. So when David arrived to visit his brothers, he probably had a better understanding of God than even the king (Saul).
Here is a revelation of God that David may have had. God’s prepares battles for us to fight. These battles are not for our loss but for our good. When God puts us in these battles, he responds in (2) ways. Either he will intervene and fight the battle for us, or he prepares us beforehand and lets us fight the battle on our own. For (40) years the children of Israel lived on manna (heavenly bread), but on the brink of Canaan the bible says “and the manna ceased”. God was telling them 'I’ve prepared you, now go fight your battles'. When David walk to the stream that day, his mind could have been saying 'I know God can intervene, but this might be one of those battles I have to fight on my own'. God had already prepared him (Remember: the lion and the bear <OH MY>). Could it be that David thought 'I might be alone on this one. So I better get as much ammo as possible'.
Battles in your life are surely going to come. Live with the determination ‘If God intervenes, glory to God, but if he chooses for me to fight on my own I’m fully armed and ready to stand.
Eph 6:13 (KJV)Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand
