There Is None Like It

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 21

Scripture Focus: And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here...” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.” (1 Samuel 21.9)

Devotional Thought: When my lifelong friend, Keith, returned from Kenya, Africa, he gave me a Maasai warrior's club. For years, I displayed it on my bookshelf as a pleasant reminder of our friendship, and as encouragement to "fight the good fight of faith." When we moved to South Carolina, I packed it away. Recently I came across it, packed away with some other things from my office. I hadn't been looking for it, but when I "found" it, I felt a surge of joy and satisfaction.

When David "found" the sword of Goliath in the safe-keeping of Ahimilech, the priest of Nob, what memories did it press into David's mind? Years before, when Goliath threatened the army of Israel, David had put his life on the line and had single-handedly went out to face and defeat the giant. After he had slain Goliath, David had taken his sword. That sword had found its way to Ahimilech, the priest at Nob.

Years later, David found his way to Ahimilech, too. But, now he was on the run from Saul, who had turned on him in a jealous rage. Finding that sword must have been a source of great joy and satisfaction to David. He said, "There is none like it."

What sword do Christians have? Is not the Word of God called "the sword of the Spirit" in Ephesians 6? There is none like it! The Word of God is...

· Imposing - Having been wielded not by a worldly giant, but by our heavenly Lord!

· Available - The Spirit of God opens up its truth to us.

· Precious - It comes to us from the heart of God. It has been sanctified by the martyrs of the faith.

The Word of God. Indeed, there is none like it!

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your Word. There is nothing else like it! I will hide it in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Amen!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80.8-19

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11 It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. 12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? 13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. 16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face! 17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!