COCIN Devotional SATURDAY 17TH JUNE 2023

TOPIC: RISKING OF LIFE III.

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 17:32-49.

32 David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

33 Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

34 David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, [Heb 11:33]

35 I went out after him, struck him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, struck him, and killed him.

36 Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” [Jdg 15:18]

37 David said, “Yahweh, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go! Yahweh will be with you.” and slays the giant

38 Saul dressed David with his clothing. He put a helmet of bronze on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.

39 David strapped his sword on his clothing and he tried to move, for he had not tested it. David said to Saul, “I can’t go with these, for I have not tested them.” Then David took them off.

40 He took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag which he had. His sling was in his hand; and he came near to the Philistine.

41 The Philistine walked and came near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him.

42 When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and had a good looking face.

43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and to the animals of the field.”

45 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 Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [Heb 11:32]

46 Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you and take your head from off you. I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines today to the birds of the sky and to the wild animals of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,

47 and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn’t save with sword and spear; for the battle is Yahweh’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

48 When the Philistine arose, and walked and came near to meet David, David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

COCIN Devotional SATURDAY 17TH JUNE 2023

MESSAGE;

David courageously faced the Philistines who threatened the peace of God’s covenanted people. Despite his lack of military prowess and belittlement by King Saul and his siblings, David understood that battles are not fought with human wisdom but complete trust in God. Because David went in the name of the God of Israel whom the Philistines defied, his weakness was turned to power and he advanced towards Goliath and killed him with a stone and sling. What a risk! This action led Israel to experience peace in the land. Are there giants that are troubling your life, community or nation? Do not be discouraged, God will give you the way out if you seek him earnestly and depend on him. Speak out and take action no matter the cost.

REFLECTION:

Risk is worth taking in the name of the Lord.

COCIN Devotional SATURDAY 17TH JUNE 2023

Father, thank you for giving me victory in Jesus name. Amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH: 1 SAMUEL 25:34.

” 34 For as surely as the LORD God of Israel lives, the one who restrained me from harming you—indeed, had you not quickly come to meet me, by dawn there wouldn’t be a single male left to Nabal.”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING PLAN: PSALMS 84-89.