As fear and worry intensified, Saul became paranoid. “What more can he have now but the kingdom?” His self-talk lost control. “Hey, I’ve got a problem on my hands. Here’s a giant-killer who’s about to become a king-killer. What can I do about that?” He’s afraid of his own shadow.

They were singing and dancing in the streets, welcoming and honoring this young man who had defended the name of their God. If there is a single statement that best describes David at this time in his life, it would be this one: “David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18:14).

God knew that David needed an intimate friend to walk with him through the valley that was ahead of him. Intimate friends are rare in life. Often we have only one, occasionally two, usually not more than three in our entire lives.

All David had was a sling and a stone as he took on a giant wearing two hundred pounds of armor. It may seem silly, but that’s the way God operates. In the final analysis, there was a whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—one stone flew through the air, and that’s all there was to it. Goliath fell like a sack full of sand. Got any more giants?

The beautiful thing about this story is that it’s a perfect example of how God operates. He magnifies HIS name when we are weak. We don’t have to be eloquent or strong or beautiful or physically fit or handsome. We don’t have to be well-traveled or brilliant or have all the answers to be blessed of God.

Man is impressed with the externals; he doesn’t see the heart. God is different. He doesn’t judge by appearance or intelligence. King Saul hadn’t learned that, however, so he looked at David and said, “You don’t have the size for it. You’re just a kid. Look over there at that giant!”

“There’s no reason for your entire army to be involved in this. Just send a fighter, and I’ll take him on. I am the champion. I am the greatest.” Goliath didn’t issue this challenge one time and then leave. No. His challenge went on for forty days (17:16). Every morning and every evening for well over a month, he strutted out there, flaunting his size and his strength, daring someone to take him on.

God had His hand on this young man whose music not only would fill the heart of a depressed king overwhelmed by blackness, but also would someday fill His written Word. Thus, David, with his primitive stringed instrument, walked bravely into that dark place where Saul was living.

Now that’s not a bad resume, is it? He’s a skilled musician; he’s a man of valor; he’s a warrior; he has control of his tongue; he’s handsome; and the Lord is with him.

God is looking at your town, your city, your neighborhood, and He’s looking for His people to whom He can say, “You are Mine. I want to use you there because you proved yourself faithful there.”