Our famous story this morning places us dead center on the battlefield. It must have been quite a sight. After 40 days of bullying, taunting, threatening, a lone figure stepped out to face Goliath in one-on-one battle. The Philistine army must have cheered and jeered. “It’s just a boy! I give him 30 seconds before he’s toast.” The army of Israel, the men standing on the other side with King Saul, may not have cheered and jeered … but their sentiment was likely similar. “This is our champion? This young lad doesn’t stand a chance … but he's a brave soul. May his death be swift.” 

And then David ran toward Goliath, and Goliath toward David. Both uttered a curse. Goliath called upon his god. David called upon his God. They covered the distance quickly. Goliath with his shield-bearer out front. Sword drawn, blood in his eyes, irritated and mad as a hornet’s nest. David grabbed one stone from his pouch. He placed it in his sling. He called on the God of Israel. He flung the stone …

What was it that gave David the courage to step out and face Goliath? How would this moment, this memory, affect the rest of his life?

There are times we find we have more courage than we thought we had. Where did that courage come from? And, does the courage leave us once the adrenaline wears off? Or, does it endure?