Every morning the men peered out across the valley probably hoping he was gone. Yet, to their dismay, once again he stood shouting out taunts. The mere intimidation of his demeanor left the entire army of Israel cowering in fear. Day after day for six weeks, the scene remained the same. Their enemies just wouldn’t go away. Most of us grew up hearing the story of David and Goliath since our earliest Sunday-School classes. However, we’re prone to classify it as a children’s story and as adults overlook the valuable lessons for all ages.
The Philistines designated Goliath as their Champion; literally, a “man between two” who would determine the fate of a war in a one-on-one battle winner take all. Goliath challenged the armies of Israel to send out their Champion. Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us” (1 Sam 17:8, 9). When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine’s challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope (v11 MSG). – No Champions available.
How often does this scenario repeat in our lives? We wake up every morning hoping, but the giant didn’t go away overnight, and he’s still shouting out taunts seeking to intimidate us so we cower in fear all day. Our giants aren’t 9 feet 9 inches tall armored warriors on a hillside. Satan employs a host of adversaries making them appear as giants to terrify and destroy us: health issues, debt, family troubles, relationships, addiction, political conflicts, wars, etc. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (Jn 10:10). We like Israel have two options: we can either succumb to the devil’s schemes and run away, or take the example of the teenage boy David. “But he was just the delivery boy bringing food to his brothers. What can we learn from him?” He wasn’t even a soldier and had no experience using military weapons. Yet, he possessed something Saul and the army of Israel lacked—faith in the Lord God. Israel had fixated on the size of Goliath and their inadequacy of human abilities to meet such a challenge. In contrast, David looked straight past the outward circumstances. He understood the greatness of God and that the battle is the Lord‘s (1 Sam 17:47).
Despite his lack of military preparation, God had been unknowingly preparing David for years through his task as a shepherd. Most significant, David knew the Lord God, and he stood firm on the promises He made to protect Israel. He had experienced the Lord’s help in everyday challenges. He remembered how God empowered him to kill both a bear and a lion while protecting his sheep. David confidently proclaimed, this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them (17:36). Then he took the first step of any spiritual battle; he faced the problem. Too many believers never move beyond this point because they fear confronting their problems. Unlike Goliath, David had no sword, spear, or javelin. He came in the name of the Lord of hosts (v45) taking only the weapon with which he was familiar, his sling and five stones (roughly the size of a tennis ball). In contrast to Israel who ran from Goliath in great fear (v24), without hesitation, David ran quickly toward the battle line (v48). Of course, you know the end of the story. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground (17:48). Using Goliath’s own sword, David killed him and cut off his head.
So, how does David’s victory translate into our everyday routines? Throughout life, we will encounter attacks in many forms from our enemy, Satan. Some assaults will be minor but others will appear as giants that overwhelm any experience, intellect, or ability we may have. We must look beyond the outward circumstances and remember we have the same promise as Israel. ‘Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you’ (Deut 3:22). God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me” (Heb 13:5, 6 NIV)? From the human side, David entered this battle alone with no one believing he could win the battle. Often we must standalone with only the Holy Spirit. I wonder if his brothers were pondering how they would explain David’s death to their Father.
David rejected the methods Saul tried to impose on him. He removed the man-made armor, put down Saul’s sword, and went into battle being who he was and using the tools with which God had given him skill—a sling and a rock. My life motto: be the individual God made you and use what He has given you. We may not have education, training, or support but the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2Co 10:4). One last observation: We have a Champion, His name is Jesus and through Him in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us (Rom 8:37.)
Sustaining Word for the Week: God has been preparing you for this moment. Face your giant this week, use what you have in the name of the Lord of hosts, and watch him fall face down on the ground.