Sometimes on social media I stare at those puzzles where hidden in millions of spots is a number or an animal. I look at the hundreds of replies where some can see it and others can’t and wonder why some people see things and others don’t.

We are still in 1 Samuel 17. The armies of the Philistines and Israel are camped opposite each other and Goliath is shouting out his threats. They all see the same giant, hear the same threats, yet David views them differently. Everyone thought Goliath could not lose, David thought Goliath could not win.

They want to escape.

All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid.  1 Samuel 17:24

David is full of indignation.

For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26

As Christians surely God has placed us in our neighbourhoods and workplaces to look at things differently. We believe in a Sovereign God, who is in control. Our confidence and rest is found in that God is sovereign.

John Piper: There are no limits to God’s rule. This is part of what it means to be God. He is sovereign over the whole world, and everything that happens in it. He is never helpless, never frustrated, never at a loss. And in Christ, God’s awesome, sovereign providence is the place we feel most reverent, most secure, most free.

Yet our trust will be tested and contested.

The people encourage:

And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” 1 Samuel 17:27

His family criticises:

Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”  1 Samuel 17:28

David protests:

And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 1 Samuel 17:29

But David presses on:

And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. 1 Samuel 17:30

I can get knocked off balance by criticism or deeply destabilised by it. I can get hurt or shrink back, lose confidence, all can really happen. It can go really deep sometimes and shake me. I pray for God to hold on to me, to guide me, to teach me and I try to trust his promises.

The psalmist says, If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me Psalm 139:9-10

We can have some wonderful friends and family in this life. But even close friends and family can fail us. The Bible reveals your ultimate best friend who will never let you down. Jesus.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Joseph M Scrivener 1855