Five Smooth Stones: The Value Of Maturity In Our Walk With God
There is reason and purpose behind the challenges we face in life. In many what we are facing today is refining and maturing us to slay the giants that await us.
I want you to consider something: The depth of our maturity in God prepares us to slay giants.
In 1 Samuel 17, we discover that Goliath stood over nine feet tall, was arrayed with heavy armor, and taunted the armies of Israel. He was big, skillful, and intimidating. No one would stand up to him except David.
Saul tries to place his armor on David, but that does not work. David decides to use what God has given him and, grabbing his shepherd's staff, he heads to the brook, chooses five smooth stones and approaches Goliath, and kills him.
1 Samuel 17:40 "Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine
1 Sam. 17:49-50 "And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David."
Smooth stones slay giants because smooth stones are broken rocks refined and prepared for by the Lord.
Why Smooth Stones?
Smooth stones are jagged stones refined in the river and made ready to be used by the Lord to take people to greater levels of Kingdom victory, promotion, and authority.
Being mature in the Lord through refining is vital to impact culture and bring personal and corporate victory.
Two things about smooth stones
Smooth stones are refined stones.
All stones found in a river start sharp and angular as they break off from other larger rocks. These stones are worn down and shaped as the river's current takes them downhill.
As these stones hit other stones, they are eventually made smooth while the river flows over them. Smooth stones take years to form. There are no shortcuts.
Refining is never easy, but it is necessary. God uses the bumped, bruised, and broken stones to lead armies and slay giants. When we stay yielded to the Lord and allow the River of God to smooth out the rough areas in our lives, we will be ready to partner with Him when Goliath stands in front of us.
Smooth stones are mature stones.
Our life has stones ready to be used by the Lord and stones that are not. While we are well equipped to handle some things, we are not yet prepared for others. God knows the difference.
Smooth stones are ready for battle. Continual growth and maturity in God make us battle-ready. We graduate to greater levels of authority when we allow the refining process to mature us.
Final Thoughts
Don't despise the refining and growth process. This process is preparing you for greater glory and victory.
Maybe you have recently gone through an experience that you don't understand or are up against a challenge that seems overwhelming.
Work through these with the Lord. Get counsel in prayer and from His Word. And more importantly, realize that a good Father is preparing us for greater glory as He refines the stones in our lives.
Its purpose is to conform us into the image of Christ, refining and maturing us to slay giants.
Questions: What benefits can you add regarding the wisdom of the Lord's refining and maturing process in our lives?
Such a great word! It's a very encouraging reminder!