Low Tech
(Originally sent 04.23.01 – Rewritten for today.)
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them”: So David took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. – 1 Samuel 17:38-40.
In April 2001, there was a rescue effort underway because a doctor had a life threatening condition at the South Pole. Weather conditions would continue to deteriorate through the harsh winter with temperatures that could reach negative 103 degrees. At first, it was planned to use the giant LC-130 “Hercules” airplane. However, this huge plane has a hydraulic system used for raising and lowering the landing gear and this hydraulic system would be susceptible to the freezing temperatures. The fuel system on the Hercules is also only usable for temperatures down to minus -67 degrees. The rescue planners have opted for two smaller planes, Twin Otters. The Twin Otters are propeller driven eight-seaters with a fixed landing gear and no hydraulic system. These planes with their low-tech systems are able to operate in temperatures as low as minus -107 degrees.
The shepherd boy, David, understood the value of low tech. David opted for five smooth stones and his sling over all the king’s armor and sword. Goliath, with all of his hugeness did not have a chance against one shepherd boy and a sling. The Bible says, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).”
What impossible situation are you facing? In the hands of God, little can be better. In the hands of God, less can be more. It may be that you are the David that God has prepared to defeat the Goliath that your community, your school, your church, your family, or (You can fill in the blank) is facing. Look around and see if God has also prepared some ammunition like He prepared five smooth stones for David. Your ammunition may appear, may look different from that of David’s but, placed in the hands of God it will be no less effective. Be sure to give glory to God before and after the battle because surely the battle is the Lord’s.
(Sometimes less is more in facing the giants of this world. This devotional was originally written and sent 04.23.01. It has been rewritten for today.)