"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." I Sam.17:45

      For forty days Goliath, the nearly ten-foot tall champion of the Philistines challenged the armies of Israel: "choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me." But fear ran through the camp. None of Israel's men of valor was brave enough to face down this most-imposing warrior. Not even Israel's King Saul dared to stand before Goliath. After this, David's father, Jesse sent him with some food for his brothers who were there dressed in battle array. And while there, David heard of Goliath's challenge and Israel's trepidation.

      This is where our faith drawn from life’s experiences can carry us through every difficulty. David had much experience protecting his father's flocks. "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine" (v.32-37).

"And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him" (v.48-50).

      David knew precisely where to sling the stone. He had years of practice slinging stones while taking care of his father's sheep. His consistent skill and aim guaranteed his accuracy. And with the force of the LORD behind the stone the rock buried into the skull of Goliath and he fell to his death.

      There are those times when our faith may tremble, doubts paralyze our decision, and inspiration fade to where there is none. This is the time when having developed a discipline in meeting life's demands, both physically and spiritually can carry us. It is then that our experience produces faith, and faith overrules fear, determination overrules doubt, and perseverance overrules discouragement. Because of the knowledge learned from our past experience the victory is sure.