From Heath Garcia, MAC(SW/AW) ret., Military Spiritual Director at ArchAngel Ministries Dear friends in faith, especially my fellow service members and veterans, In the spirit of our shared journeys through trials and triumphs, today’s Lectio Divina draws from the timeless story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32-49, NABRE). This narrative reminds us that true strength comes not from armor or weapons, but from unwavering trust in God. As we navigate our own “battlefields” – whether in deployment, transition to civilian life, or personal struggles – let’s open our hearts to how God equips the unlikely for victory. Take 10-15 minutes in a quiet space. Breathe deeply, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you. Scripture Passage (NABRE – New American Bible Revised Edition): David Challenges Goliath 32 Then David spoke to Saul: “My lord should not lose heart. Let your servant go and fight this Philistine.”33 But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.”34 Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock,35 I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it.36 Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.”37 David continued: “The same Lord who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the Lord will be with you.”…49 David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground.50 Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine dead, and did it without a sword in his hand.