My son’s fascination for David-and-Goliath continued as we focused on the miraculous story throughout the week. Bedtime stories, color-book renderings, animated videos.
“Daddy, I want a slingshot,” Caleb announced one day.
Using an old sock and two pieces of string, we created a makeshift slingshot. Grabbing an old tennis ball, I demonstrated how to place the ball in the old sock. Then, I swung it around and around strategically releasing one of the strings to catapult the ball through the air.
“Daddy, I do it. I do it.” Caleb shouted.
Realizing that a tennis ball and old sock couldn’t do too much damage to a two-year-old, I placed the ball in the slingshot, and handed it to Caleb. Mimicking the various stories we had read, Caleb shouted, “I will help save Israel!”
Around and around swished the old red sock. I was quite impressed. Then, it happened: the strings tangled in his arms, quickly wrapping around his hands. The tennis ball flipped round about and hit him in the back of the head. I couldn’t hold back the laughter. He had tried so hard to fight the giant.
Then, he picked up the ball and said, “Daddy, I do it again.” So, he pressed on, learning to use this newly discovered weapon.
I thought about Caleb’s desire to learn about the natural weapons of this world. Then, I became grateful that we don’t have natural weapons to fight our enemy. We have spiritual weapons–weapons that are powerful and mighty.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5a)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God… ” (Ephesians 6:12-13a)
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Buckle the belt of truth around your waist.
Don the breastplate of righteousness.
Fit your feet with the gospel of peace.
Pick up the shield of faith.
Put on the helmet of salvation.
Take up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
(Ephesians 6:14-17)
Prepare yourself for battle against the enemies of fear and panic. With the spiritual armor in place, you are ready to do battle. You will be victorious!
Prayer: Father, thank you for providing this armor so that I may stand against the enemy. Remind me to clothe myself each morning with your strength so that I may defend myself from the fiery arrows of Satan’s lies.
