Five Stones: The Essentials of Manning-UpSample

Stone 1 – Be Courageous: Reset Your Focus.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13. ESV

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9. NLT

It was Aristotle who first said that courage is the greatest of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all the others. How much truer this is of the man running after God’s heart? Without the courage to follow Him, we won’t have the ability to become the men we were created to be in Him.

We previously mentioned David’s possible aim to take down not only one but five giants in his initial battle. Hence, the five stones. Later, in 2 Samuel 21:15-22, we read that some of David’s mighty men killed off these other Philistine giants in battles that followed throughout later years. They were very likely inspired by the way their leader manned-up back in his youth.

The men of the Bible, men like David and those who followed him, were no pushovers. Their feats in battle sound epic, simply because it was epic… Maybe even more epic than the more famous tales of the Greek warriors our society hold in such high regard to this day. Men like these showed us how to truly man-up. Whether it’s for taking out the trash or taking down an adversary. Whether it be cleaning the dishes or cleaning the deck with your opponent. David was first a shepherd who humbly served others, and then became a warrior who boldly won battles too.

Five stones were essential in David’s arsenal to man-up and take down giants.
Five stones are also essential for us to man-up in this day and age:

1. The Courage to be a man.

2. The Strength to shape up.

3. Guarding over what and who you stand with.

4. Being Faithful to stand firm.

5. Loving God and loving others.

In talking about the courage to be a man, it is also essential to be your own man. While the principles of Godly masculinity are universal, each masculine identity created by God is individual. You are not anyone but yourself. You don’t need to be anyone other than who God created you to be. But if you were born male, no matter who you are, where you find yourself, or what society says, you were created to be a MAN of God. A man with a specific purpose, at a specific place, in this generation.

David understood this very well. Saul, however, did not. In ancient times a warrior was known for his armor. So, when Saul urged David to wear his armor, it might have been more about putting his stamp on the lad, than it was about protecting him. From afar it would have looked like Saul was stepping out to fight for Israel, and the glory might have gone to him. When we man-up, guys, it’s not for the sake of our own glory, but rather a Godly responsibility. The only glory you are manning-up for, is the glory of the God Whose image you bear. Let that be your focus.

David chose to be himself as he stepped out onto the battlefield. He represented God, not man. He found his identity in God, not anyone or anything else. David fought for the Kingdom of Heaven, not his own. Unlike king Saul who was cowering in fear behind his army, while standing head and shoulders taller than his average countryman. Our King Jesus, on the other hand, did not cower behind His disciples. Instead, He manned-up for the battle of everyone’s eternity as He took up the cross.

David ran up to Goliath, confident in who God had made him to be. Keeping his focus on God first, he could also set his sights on the battle ahead of him. Just like David, we can also reset our focus, step out with courage, and be who and what God created us to be on a daily basis.

Meditations on Manning-up:

- What inspires you most about David’s courage on this battlefield?

- How and where can you muster the same kind of courage in your daily life?

- What do you need to pray for today?