David and Goliath. (1 Samual 17:38-51)

The sun was edging into the west and the desert was beginning to cool. The young man stood, draped in armor and exotic metals and chains and weapons. His legs quivering under the weight, a spear in his right hand. Tall men in with beards and robes and tunics and rings standing all around him.

"This is too heavy, I cannot face him like this."

So piece by piece, with brothers mocking him, he stripped away the armor and the spear and the sword. The shining pile lay in the sand with no warrior to claim them. No sword or spear could save this boys skin. No metal could protect this youths soul.

Clouds were forming in strips on the horizon and were hiding the sun. The sky was orange and red and yellow and pink. Of brilliance was this display.

The boy, with armor stripped, picked up his staff and walked slowly to the stream. Kneeling slowly he dipped his hand into the cool water and reached for five stones. Of the most perfect smoothness were they required to be.

Tunic. Staff. Stones. Sling.

These were the tools of the shepherd. Who was this boy to gallivant around as a soldier? No, not today nor maybe ever. For he was called to be the quiet one, the one whom was after a mighty heart. So with the items he possessed he strode up to a high rock and looked out onto a sea of men. Ahead of them a mammoth. One for whom all were to fear. But not this boy, not this faith.

"A boy? Am I not to be offended?" yelled the giant, "Oh with what ravenous anger shall I bring this slaughter upon your head!"

The boy stood silent and still upon the rock. In his veins and in his heart a bravery did grow. Like an overflowing well did assuredness birth inside his heart.

"Poor Philistine! You come to me with swords and spears, arrows and bows. The offense I have been dealt! May my God have mercy upon your soul and the souls of your family. For I do not come against you with weapons of steel, but rather with the armies of the Lord Almighty. How dare you defile His holy name. Today the Lord will hand you over to me Philistine. For it is on this day that the birds and the crawling things and all the beasts of the earth will feast upon your flesh."

Just then the mammoth man lurched forward with armor clanking and sword waving. But the boy was light and quick and uninhibited. He moved straight towards the man. Into his pouch he reached and found the smoothest of stones and placed it in his sling and began to swing it 'round above his head.

Then, with one fluid motion the stone flew from the sling, scorched the desert air and sailed away from that bravest of boys.

The dust rose from underneath the giants body and filled the air as he slumped to the ground. The stone had struck. It had been placed. It had been ordained by the Lord. It had finished its purpose. The mammoth was dead.

And so the boy walked over to the man and, with all Philistine eyes fixed upon him, cut through the neck of this greatest of warriors. To God the mammoths head was raised.

A boy to save a nation. A boy to save his people. A boy to slay the beast.