David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV) In today's reading, David, a young shepherd, faced the challenge of fighting Goliath. No one believed that David could defeat Goliath. But David told King Saul that God had helped him defend his flock of sheep from lions and bears and would rescue him from Goliath too. David declined to wear the battle armor that King Saul gave him and went to meet Goliath with only a staff, a slingshot, five stones, and trust in God. David defeated Goliath, not because of strength or skill bu
Psalm 13:5-6 "But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." (NRSV) Did you ever have a birthday that was awful? I remember one when no one, not one person, wished me a Happy Birthday that day. And then there have been wonderful celebrations with family and friends. Debra Pierce, from Massachusetts, relates that on her 60th birthday, she sent her sister an email that said, "I'm healthy, happy, married to a great guy, and I own a business caring for animals. Praise God, my dreams have come to fruition!" She also relates that birthdays weren't always a cause for celebration. On her 40th birthda
1 Chronicles 29: 14-18 David said; :But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. O Lord, our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyou
