There are four stones that sit on the corner of my desk. They found their way there one summer evening following a vacation bible school lesson. As things often do, they got covered up in the pile of knick knacks and papers there. When I finally sat down to declutter my space I ran across the stones again. As I thought about what to do with them I began to think of the lesson they represented. The great faith of David as he stood against the giant. Through the eyes of a child the story is one of wonder and awesomeness.
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and 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.’”
I Samuel 17: 45 (ESV)
Through my adult eyes, the story still holds wonder and awesomeness, but the application of it hits closer to home now. While we have no fear of literal giants trampling us, we do face fears of giant proportion sometimes. These figurative giants come disguised as fear, insecurity and worry. Satan uses them to keep us from reaching for our rock – Jesus.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16: 13-18 (ESV)
Jesus had been dealing with the Pharisees and Sadducees and their demand for a sign as proof of who he was. No matter what Jesus said, they would not believe him. Jesus knew that the cross was drawing near and he needed to begin to prepare the disciples for the persecution that was to follow. It was important that they had a firm foundation to stand on in his absence. Peter’s confession of faith is one of the most notable points in Jesus’ ministry and should be the foundation on which we also stand. From David’s stone to Peter’s “rock”, may our faith remain firm and unmovable as we face the giants of this world.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24 (ESV)
Giving God the Glory 