I Sam. 17:40 - "Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."

I Peter 2:5 - "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood..."

A couple of years ago, God showed me some cool things about how we are like the 5 stones David chose out of the stream. However, I was hesitant to share it with anyone because I couldn't remember a place in the Bible where God uses stones as an analogy, and I like using analogies that are backed up with Scripture. Well, the other day as I was reviewing my notes on the stones, God reminded me of the I Peter 2:5 verse!!! So, here goes...

Notice the verse says David chose 5 smooth stones. Stones are not naturally smooth. Instead, they are naturally hard, rough, and lumpy. So how did they become smooth? By being tossed about by the water. The stream carried them from their point of origin, when they were in their natural state, to the place where David could make use of them. Along the way, they were bumped and battered. If stones were animate, they would have been thinking, "We're scared and hurting. We can't control this or where it's taking us, and we don't like it." But it was a necessary process to be formed into the shape the shepherd could use. Likewise, we are battered by the storm-tossed waves in our lives to be formed into the tools that our Shepherd can use.
Notice also that it says David chose the stones. God has chosen you for a specific purpose and season. Who knows how long it was after the stones had settled in this part of the stream before David came along. It may have been a time of rest and refreshment before they came into the purpose for which they were created. Do you feel like you are sitting in one place, waiting to fulfill your purpose - whatever that may be? Be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). God may have you in that place, waiting for the time and purpose for which He has chosen and ordained you. If you're in the stream, being refreshed, enjoy it. That's what He wants you to do. If you're still being tossed about by the water, know that it is for your ultimate good and His glory. Wherever you are, just know that it is where you are supposed to be right now.

More points will come in subsequent posts. Putting it all in one post will take too long to read.