…and when a lion or bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 1 Samuel 17:34-35.

This was part of the conversation between David and King Saul just before David went into battle with Goliath. I like how the KJV said it: “…there came a lion…”

The courage a shepherd must have had! I’ve seen an angry lioness’s teeth close up as she faced me (thank goodness through a fence), and it’s a scary sight. David seems to make it seem like no big deal. “Yeah, when a lion or bear came up, I hit it, and when it came against me, I killed it.” KJV

David’s point was not to bring attention to himself, but make the point that if the God of Israel gave him enough power and boldness to kill a wild beast, he could kill a giant.

We all have “lions and bears” of some sort that come in our life, something that we have to fight. We can see this as a trial or an opportunity. The lion can be a blessing in disguise because it can strengthen our walk with God or show us the inner strength we didn’t know we had.

May we all have the strength, confidence, and fortitude of David when a lion or bear of difficulty, temptation, persecution, or confrontation come upon us that we can say: I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it.

Lord, please help me to be like David, who believed in You and conquered the enemies placed before him. Be our defense.

From ministry friend Pam Rehbein