Facing the Giants (not the movie...)

Only a boy named David,
Only a ripping brook,
Only a boy named David,
But 5 little stones he took.
Who doesn't know this story? I mean who doesn't love the story of a little squirt going up against a huge giant with just 5 stones and a slingshot. Not to mention, he was willing when all the other Israelites, including their handsome, most macho man in the kingdom King Saul, were too scared to fight him. It's a story fit for Hollywood!
But after spending the last several days re-reading this timeless story, I was struck by all the discouragement David received. First his brother, Eliab, criticized his motives (1 Sam. 17:28), then King Saul was skeptical of his ability (vs. 33), finally Goliath belittled him (vs. 43-44). Not one person stated in the Bible cheered him on, applauded his bravery, or even offered word of encouragement. They thought he would fail. I would have walked home after the first comment, too ashamed I had made my brother upset and convinced I had misread my motives and had sinned. (I'm a people pleaser, can you tell?) If for some reason I had made it to Saul, I would have humbly agreed I was too inexperienced and left then.
But David's trust in the Lord was unwavering. He knew the criticizers were wrong. Listen to his statements:
"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (vs. 26)
"He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine." (vs. 37)
"But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

The other thing that struck me was David's concern not just for his country, or his brothers who were fighting, but for the name of the Lord. He couldn't bear for the name of God to be a reproach to God's enemies. He absolutely trusted and believed in the power, sovereignty, and greatness of the one and only living God that no one could taunt or dishonor. Do I love the name of the Lord that it grieves me to see it dishonored?

I wish I could say I was like David - full of faith, courage, and action. But, I'm quite honestly a lot like the rest of Israel. I become paralyzed by any kind of "giants." My "faith" becomes riddled with seeds of doubt. I wonder if God will come to my aid. I take any kind of discouragement to heart and lose perspective of what God can do, becoming fearful of what man thinks.

Thankfully, my God forgives my unbelief. He delights in using the small, the weak, the average. And He continually demonstrates His presence and power in my life. What about you? Do you take after David and crusade ahead full of faith in the Living God or do you tend to be found among the Israelites worried and scared that all is lost?

And one little stone went into the air
And the giant came tumbling down!