The Battle Made Me

Psalm 18:31-34New Living Translation

31 For who is God except the Lord?

    Who but our God is a solid rock?

32 God arms me with strength,

    and he makes my way perfect.

33 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

34 He trains my hands for battle;

    he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.


1 Samuel 21:8-9 New Living Translation


David asked Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword? The king’s business was so urgent that I didn’t even have time to grab a weapon!”

“I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah,” the priest replied. “It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here.”

“There is nothing like it!” David replied. “Give it to me!”


Battles are a part of the Journey


1 Samuel 17:32-37 New Living Translation

David Kills Goliath

32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”


Hebrews 13:21 New Living Translation


21 may he equip you with all you need

    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,[a]

    through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen


1 Samuel 21:11-13 New Living Translation


11 But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. “Isn’t this David, the king of the land?” they asked. “Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing,


‘Saul has killed his thousands,

    and David his ten thousands’?”

12 David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. 13 So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.