“Then the LORD said, ‘Anoint him, for he is the one’. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully on David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:12-13

One of our boys turned eleven this past week and he was fun to celebrate. He has an incredible heart, but has said how he feels the enemy on his back. It shows in the things he is drawn to and his attitude at times. As his mom, I have the privilege of seeing him day in and day out, watching the moving towards the Lord and moving away. I have heard his prayers and know his struggles. However, I see the qualities of David in him. I see his determination, creativity, how people are drawn to him and his leadership skills. These weaken when he chooses to be pulled into worldly attractions.

When I am thinking about King David, I see how strong he was in his youth. How we was the youngest brother, took care of the sheep and fought whatever came against them. When his father asked him to check on his brothers, who were doing more “important” work in Saul’s army, he went and came upon quite a scene. A giant named Goliath was taunting the Israelites and they were drawing back in fear. David shows up and asks who this is who defies the armies of the living God. David does not ask permission to fight the giant, but takes five stones, his sling shot and the name of the living God. He takes down the giant and actually uses the giants own sword to cut off his head.

You see, David had been anointed, filled with the Spirit. He knew whose he was and who he was. He fought against the evil that was coming against God’s people without hesitation. This is my prayer for this boy of mine. He knows to whom he belongs and the Holy Spirit lives inside of him. Evil is raging these days and I am asking the Lord to strengthen his faith. That he will not back down from any giant of our day that comes against the Word of God. That he will always call on the name of the Living God for help, wisdom and strength. And we will use the years to teach him lessons that David learned in the field, minus the actual bears and lions. The Lord has something special for this one and we get a front row seat.

Happy Birthday Paxton!