Leap Of Faith

My tiny 5-year-old palms were sweaty as I looked down the set of four stairs at my grandmother’s entryway.

At the bottom of the short stairwell stood my dad, arms wide open, a huge grin on his face, ready to play the game we played every time he would pick me up from Nana and Boppa’s.  I would run to the top of the steps, jump to the bottom, and he would catch me every time.

And yet, every time, there was still a moment of fear and trepidation. As I looked at the distance that felt like miles long, I wondered, “Will I fall? Will my father catch me?” My sweet dad whispered, “Don’t worry sweetie, I’m going to catch you. I do - every time!” Thinking of the dozens of times I had already been caught, I giggled and jumped with glee. My dad wasn’t going to change now; he was going to catch me.

In 1 Samuel 17, the Israelites were facing their enemy, the Philistines. A gigantic battle warrior named Goliath came out taunting the Israelite army. All the men cowered in fear, a feeling we’re all too familiar with this time of year. And yet, David, younger than most everyone there - the classic underdog - walked out with confidence.

And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” … And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
- 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37 (ESV)

David could have (and maybe SHOULD have) been afraid. But he wasn’t. How? How did he defy the odds and move forward with confidence? Verse 37 tells us:

“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
- 1 Samuel 17:37

David reflected on the past examples in his life where God had remained faithful. When he fought the lion, when he fought the bear, God delivered him. God showed up every time, why would this time be any different?

I don’t know what real or metaphorical lions, tigers, or bears (Oh my!) you are facing.

I don’t know where you are… looking at a staircase, ready for a leap of faith, but wondering if your Heavenly Father will catch you on the other side? But I do know this - throughout scripture and the history of the world, we can see countless examples of God’s faithfulness. He might not always show up how we would expect Him to…

… but He does show up. Every time!

Where in your life can you see God’s faithfulness? If you’re having trouble finding examples of faithfulness: Feel the breath in your lungs; He gives us life. Reflect on the cross; He gives us freedom. Take a look at creation; He made it all.

David wasn’t afraid of failing because he knew he wasn’t the one fighting the battle.

Are you so confident in God’s faithfulness that you can let go of pride and surrender your fear of failure? Are you so sure of how God has worked in your life that you’re ready to jump down the steps into His arms, and fight the giants that are standing in your way? Because He’s standing there, whispering, “Don’t worry my child, I’m going to catch you. I do - every time!”

If you’re struggling with fear this October. If the job feels like the biggest stairwell you’ve ever had to jump down. If your marriage looks a little bit like Goliath. If there is a giant that’s causing you to cower in fear… Reflect on God’s past examples of faithfulness. Remind yourself that for you and me, and for all of Creation, God keeps showing up. God doesn’t fail….

And then take the leap of faith. Rush the giant head-on. And get ready to watch God catch you. Every time!

Cristina Schmitter

‍