Publication date Mar 17, 2024

Don't be intimidated any longer, friend.

Publication date Mar 17, 2024

What intimidates you, friend? When someone is further along in life than you are? When someone earns more than you? When someone has children and you couldn't have them? 

I love our David from the Bible and how he says—when he comes face to face with the giant—"...Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32 NIV)  

How could he respond in such a way?

At this point, David was merely a shepherd! His brothers were at war, right on the front lines against Goliath, and David had only been sent to bring his brothers some food.  

Why was he so confident?

David remembered what he had just experienced with God. For he had been anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel. He had been recognized, even though they wanted to keep that fact hidden from King Saul. Even Samuel, who had come to anoint the next king, did not expect God to choose a young shepherd boy. 

Everyone believed that Eliab, David's oldest brother, was the chosen one. But in what words did God point out to Samuel that He had other plans? 

“...Do not consider [Eliab’s] appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

David still carried this lesson in his heart. And with this truth he was able to stand before the giant who could have easily intimidated him. But he decided, "I will not be impressed by his appearance or by his size." 

friend, when you feel weaker, less important, less effective than others, you too may remember the truth today and decide you no longer need to be impressed or inferior or intimidated by others. For God has chosen you, too. (see 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NiRV)  

You can step forward into your ministry or calling with joy and confidence in God.

friend, choose this liberating path today, even if you've tried many times before. Because, you know what? No one has ever walked without falling first. Even David could sign to that.

You are a miracle!

 

Deborah Rosenkranz
Author

Singer-songwriter and author, but especially Jesus' biggest fan!