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Where do you turn when things go wrong?    Do you roll up your sleeves and try to fix things?  Do you call a professional to come and do repairs?  Do you abandon the project?  Do you visit your Doctor, or call a friend?  Do you sit down and cry, or grit your teeth and push through?  Depending on the circumstances I am sure that your response may differ.  Sometimes, we may even have a plan of attack with backup plans B, C and D in the event plan A doesn’t work.

And then there is prayer.  I have heard people say over the years, and I must confess that there may have been times when I have said “There’s nothing I can do so I will pray for you.”  Or “I have tried everything and I don’t know where to turn, so I might as well pray.”

Turning to the Lord and prayer at times may have been our plan B or even our last resort.  This was not the case with David.  David, a young shepherd boy, upon the instruction of his father, visits his brothers on the battle field.  When he arrives he finds that Goliath comes out daily and taunts the Israelites, daring them to fight him.  For days, the Israelite army with their captains and soldiers, armor, weapons and battle plans listened to the taunting, they no doubt weighed out their options (perhaps plans a-z) only to foresee defeat and thus would not attack.

But David, the young shepherd boy, hears the taunting and looks to the Lord as his first defense and only option.  He does not weigh out plans he acts with confidence in the Lord. 
For David, the Lord is on his side and victory is sure.  David conquers the enemy with faith in God.

“Then David said to the Philistine, “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 defiled.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.”  1 Samuel 17: 45-46

To be sure there are those circumstances and people that would stand against us, but may we set our gaze upon the One who is greater than all.  The One who is our shield and defender.  The One who is Mighty to deliver us. 

We sometimes sing the chorus of Matt Maher’s song, “Lord, I Need You”:

“Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You.”

He is my first defense and not my last resort! Is He yours?

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