David's Surprising Bread & Cheese Run

Because David was faithful in the little things, God empowered him to be faithful in something huge. His humble obedience radically changed his life.

David's Surprising Bread & Cheese Run

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus, and former Junior High Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX.

- Pastor Danny

"One day, Jesse said to David, 'Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.'"

(1 Samuel 17:17-18, NLT)

If you have not read the Scripture passage for today, take a moment to read it. Now, who gets excited about some roasted grain, bread, and cuts of cheese? To be honest, not me! At first glance, this passage can seem pretty inconsequential, but if you look at it in context of the whole story, it is pretty amazing!

1 Samuel 17 tells one of the most famous stories in the Bible: David vs. Goliath. In the verses leading up to verses 17 and 18, we see Goliath issue the challenge of representative combat to the Israelite people. This means that instead of both armies fighting each other, one person from one side will fight one person from the other side to reduce bloodshed, and the winning individual represents the nation's victory and defeat of the other nation. The challenge has been laid down, and the Israelite people did nothing but cower and retreat. Then come verses 17 and 18. How did David, the mighty Goliath-killer, get to the battle? Well... he was on a bread and cheese run from his father.

Think about the previous statement. Because of a bread and cheese run, David goes on to defeat Goliath with a sling and a stone. Because of a bread and cheese run, David cuts off the head of the Philistine giant and claims victory for an entire nation. David was being obedient to the humble task he was asked to perform, and God gave him the opportunity to do something miraculous.

What is encouraging about a bread and cheese run for us who do not participate in representative combat? What we may think of as inconsequential acts of obedience can lead us to great victories in our lives. If you are following Jesus, God has placed you where you are and set you to what you are doing. He has not made a mistake in where you are or what you are doing. Are you being obedient? David was at home being a shepherd when Jesse, his father, asked him to go on a bread and cheese run that would end up changing his life. Are you going to be found obedient and ready when your Heavenly Father calls you to go on a "bread and cheese run"?

Because David was faithful in the little things, God empowered David to be faithful in facing Goliath. Because David was obedient to what God was asking him to do, David partook in an unbelievable victory that God performed through him. God may be calling you to what you think are inconsequential "bread and cheese runs", but what if those "bread and cheese runs" put you on the path of someone you need to share the Gospel with? What if those "bread and cheese runs" put you in positions to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ? What if those "bread and cheese runs" are really much more, filled with opportunities for you to say "yes" to God, grow in your relationship with Him, and see Him perform mighty miracles through you?

May we not neglect or reject a humble "bread and cheese run".