Good morning friends, Eugene Peterson has a great angle on the story of David and Goliath (found in 1 Samuel 17). In the story, David was going to fight the giant, and king Saul tried to dress David in his kingly armor.

The armor didn’t fit: David was a slingshot guy. More than that, he was a God guy. In a throwaway line between the story of Saul’s armor and David running into position opposite the giant, Peterson includes: 

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and… approached the Philistine.”

Peterson imagines David, choosing stream stones, on his knees, in prayer. He’s not only handling stones for weight and aerodynamics, he’s also praying, “Lord, be my skill and strength in this moment.”

I like that. I invite you to your knees this day. I’m not sure what giant you’re facing today—it may be one more day in isolation or it may be another large matter—but this much we know for sure: we need Him.  “Be our strength and skill in this moment!” We’re not asking for a place to hide; we’re asking for skill for the battle.

For those of you who were able to participate in last week’s 24 hours of prayer, I just want to say, “Good on you.” Being prayerful is an SPL core value, and last Wednesday was a great step in the direction of deepening intimacy with Jesus. I am grateful to be a part of you, your church, us. We continue to practice this matter of prayer, being confident in this, that He who began this good work in us is bringing it to maturity—to fulfillment and perfection.

Praying with you today.

Andrew