1 Samuel 17:32-58
Saul had summoned David after hearing of his inquiry about the reward for killing Goliath. When he got there, David told Saul not to worry because he would fight Goliath himself. Of course, Saul thought this was ridiculous because David was such a small, young boy and Goliath was a giant, trained from his youth to be a warrior. There was no way Saul was going to let David lose his kingdom to Goliath.
But David was persistent, and convincing. He explained how his experience as a shepherd, protecting his sheep from lions and bears, could help him. His true weapon, however, was his final argument. He told Saul that just as God rescued him from those animals, he would do the same against this Philistine who was defying the armies of the living God. With that, Saul could no longer relent and he allowed David to battle Goliath; even gave him his armor to do it.
Now, let's pause here for a bit and just think about what has taken place. For forty days, Goliath had taunted the Israelite army and they had run in fear. Then, David came along with his different perspective and turned everything upside down. All that time, the warriors of Israel had been seeing and thinking in the flesh. All they could see was a giant man whom they knew they could not physically defeat. David, however, saw the situation for what it was: a mere mortal defying his God, the true and living God! So, he knew that Israel already had the victory, they had but to claim it.
Now, back to our story. With that confidence, David prepared to fight Goliath, declining Saul's armor because it was too heavy and awkward. Instead, he used what he was familiar with, some stones and a sling and his shepherd's staff. As he approached, Goliath started with his smack talk about how he would feed David's flesh to the birds and wild animals. But, David gave it right back to him, telling him that when God defeats him, he would cut off his head and feed his flesh to the birds and wild animals...and all his men (so, aha)!
With that, Goliath moved toward David and David charged Goliath, using his small size and agility to his advantage. When he was closer, he pulled out a stone and used his sling to hurl it at Goliath, nailing him in the forehead. The stone sunk in and Goliath went down face first. Look at God! Then David used Goliath's own sword to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that, they ran. Now, all of a sudden, the Israelite army gathered some courage somehow, and chased after them, killing them all the way to Gath and the Ekron gates.
There are so many lessons to learn from this story, not the least of which is acknowledging God's dominion over everything. When we look at life through the eyes of the Lord, things take on a whole new perspective. Problems that seemed too hard appear trivial, people who seemed so difficult become stepping stones, and life in general becomes a little bit easier to handle. Obstacles may not disappear, but our ability to deal with and overcome them improves when we put our trust in God. And, when we trust God openly, those around us are encouraged to do the same.
God, we thank you for your protection and strength. Thank you for defeating our enemies for us as we hide in the safety of your wings. Please help us to glorify you in all of our victories and praise you anyhow in our defeats. We love you, Lord, and we want to please you, but we sometimes let fear in our flesh get in the way. Encourage us, Lord, in those times and remind us of your omnipresence in our lives. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Saul had summoned David after hearing of his inquiry about the reward for killing Goliath. When he got there, David told Saul not to worry because he would fight Goliath himself. Of course, Saul thought this was ridiculous because David was such a small, young boy and Goliath was a giant, trained from his youth to be a warrior. There was no way Saul was going to let David lose his kingdom to Goliath.
But David was persistent, and convincing. He explained how his experience as a shepherd, protecting his sheep from lions and bears, could help him. His true weapon, however, was his final argument. He told Saul that just as God rescued him from those animals, he would do the same against this Philistine who was defying the armies of the living God. With that, Saul could no longer relent and he allowed David to battle Goliath; even gave him his armor to do it.
Now, let's pause here for a bit and just think about what has taken place. For forty days, Goliath had taunted the Israelite army and they had run in fear. Then, David came along with his different perspective and turned everything upside down. All that time, the warriors of Israel had been seeing and thinking in the flesh. All they could see was a giant man whom they knew they could not physically defeat. David, however, saw the situation for what it was: a mere mortal defying his God, the true and living God! So, he knew that Israel already had the victory, they had but to claim it.
Now, back to our story. With that confidence, David prepared to fight Goliath, declining Saul's armor because it was too heavy and awkward. Instead, he used what he was familiar with, some stones and a sling and his shepherd's staff. As he approached, Goliath started with his smack talk about how he would feed David's flesh to the birds and wild animals. But, David gave it right back to him, telling him that when God defeats him, he would cut off his head and feed his flesh to the birds and wild animals...and all his men (so, aha)!
With that, Goliath moved toward David and David charged Goliath, using his small size and agility to his advantage. When he was closer, he pulled out a stone and used his sling to hurl it at Goliath, nailing him in the forehead. The stone sunk in and Goliath went down face first. Look at God! Then David used Goliath's own sword to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that, they ran. Now, all of a sudden, the Israelite army gathered some courage somehow, and chased after them, killing them all the way to Gath and the Ekron gates.
There are so many lessons to learn from this story, not the least of which is acknowledging God's dominion over everything. When we look at life through the eyes of the Lord, things take on a whole new perspective. Problems that seemed too hard appear trivial, people who seemed so difficult become stepping stones, and life in general becomes a little bit easier to handle. Obstacles may not disappear, but our ability to deal with and overcome them improves when we put our trust in God. And, when we trust God openly, those around us are encouraged to do the same.
God, we thank you for your protection and strength. Thank you for defeating our enemies for us as we hide in the safety of your wings. Please help us to glorify you in all of our victories and praise you anyhow in our defeats. We love you, Lord, and we want to please you, but we sometimes let fear in our flesh get in the way. Encourage us, Lord, in those times and remind us of your omnipresence in our lives. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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