Focus: Spiritual Surplus (Pt.2)

Text: 1Sam.17:40

"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him FIVE SMOOTH STONE out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."

We are still on the story of David and Goliath. David had a lot of guts, facing the giant foe. His faith in God was unwavering. He showed immense courage, the kind aptly described by another as "fear that has said its prayers."

What is so interesting to me is that David killed Goliath with only one smooth stone out of five smooth stones in his possession. One was enough to get the job done. That means he had more than enough supplies of bullets in his shepherd's bag. For me, that speaks of surplus of spiritual ammunition - sufficiency of divine armor.

Goliath could not survive one smooth stone. Goliath had the stature and height, the military might and sufficient battle experience, the expertise of warfare and adequate armor. Yet he could not survive a single smooth stone out of five.

The number 5 speaks of grace and abundance. The believer wins by availing himself of God's abundant resources of grace. The word 'smooth' signifies character, and stone speaks of ability, potency and durability. It is indeed a weapon in the believer's hands, powerful enough to take out any foe. Also, the believer needs God's constant chiseling and smoothening of his life for effective combat in the arena of life's battles.

The Scripture declares, "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote and slew him, but there was no sword in the hand of David" (1Sam.17:50). No sword in his hand. This reminds me of Samson who killed a lion with nothing in his hands. The believer needs only God to win, not physical sword or spear.

I see the five smooth stones as representing:

*The Name of the Lord

*The Word of God

*The Blood of Christ

*The Spirit of God

*The Deity of Christ

These are smooth stones in the hands of the believer, and each is powerful enough to bring the foe down. The potency of these smooth stones is demonstrated through the sling or catapult of faith.

God has given us surplus weapons; powerful spiritual pebbles that can neutralize the forces of hell and put Satan and his cohorts out of business. We have all the supernatural armor of Christ that guarantees victory throughout our earthly existence.

Tomorrow we will consider in detail the five smooth stones as listed above, and the biblical proofs of their efficacy.

We have plenty of spiritual resources available for us. Let us make use of them. No foe can withstand you. No power can prevail over you. As David prevailed over Goliath by using his smooth stone, even so, you are assured of victory when you use your divine panoply. The divine pebbles operate by your slings of faith. Bless the Lord Jesus Christ for your spiritual surplus. Every stone makes the enemy stumble, tumble and suffer devastating defeat. Hallelujah!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter