Trust God With a Stone in Your Hand

By Edd Sterchi

    I hope that title got your attention. Let me explain what I mean by it. David was a man who trusted God. He wrote in Psalm 62:7-8, “In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times...” God was his rock, and he had a rock-solid trust in Him. This is the way David lived his life – even from his youth. Let’s look at one such example from David’s younger days. 

    In 1 Samuel 17, Israel was at war with the vicious and war-hardened Philistines. They were at a standoff in the Valley of Elah with Israel on the mountains on one side and the Philistines on the mountains on the other. The Philistines made a proposal. They would send their best warrior, a giant named Goliath, and he would battle any Israelite. The winner would seal victory for his army. Day after day, he came out waiting for a challenger. Day after day, the Israelites cowered in fear. This went on for 40 days. 

    Then young David entered into the picture. He was too young to be in the army, but his three oldest brothers were. Occasionally he would bring food to his brothers, and this was one time when he was doing just that. When he witnessed Goliath’s challenge and the Israelites’ fearful response, he volunteered to battle the giant. He knew that God wanted victory for His people, and he knew that God would provide a way. His words in v.37 confirm this: “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.” 

    With the permission of king Saul and with a complete trust in God, he went forth to the battle. But first he put a stone in his hand. In fact, he picked up five stones (v.40, likely this was because Goliath had four brothers and he thought he might have to fight them also). When the confrontation ensued, David said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand” (v.45-46). In essence, David said, “You have formidable weapons indeed, but my weapon is God!” David then took one of the stones in his hand, placed it in a sling and felled the giant with one blow (v.49). 

    Now, here’s my point. David fully trusted in God, but he still put a stone in his hand and did his part. That is what true trust is – relying upon God, but still doing what you are supposed to do. As the old saying states, “Do your best and trust God for the rest.” Do you trust God with a stone in your hand? 

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/