David and Goliath

The story of David and Goliath is a story of an underdog gaining victory over a champion. Today’s Bible reading* includes a story I’m sure you’ve heard of if you’ve been around church for very long. I’d venture to say that you’ve heard a little about the story even if you’ve never entered a church!

Goliath was a giant of a man. Literally. He was a descendant from Anak and the Nephilim, the giants that the spies reported about when they returned to Moses after scouting out the Promised Land. (Numbers 13:32-33) Goliath was also a war hero.

David, on the other hand, was a young man and not yet old enough to serve in the Israelite Army. The only jobs David had held up to this point was a musician in Saul’s court and a shepherd for his father’s flocks. A young musical shepherd probably wouldn’t be anyone’s first choice to go up against the Philistine’s warrior.

But God doesn’t make choices like we do. He made that clear in yesterday’s Bible reading when God told Samuel that He doesn’t look at outward appearances. (1 Samuel 16)

While the Israelite Army trembles in their sandals at Goliath’s taunts, David is shocked that anyone would dare to challenge “the armies of the Living God”. (1 Samuel 17:26) David knew that God was not intimidated by Goliath. The “Champion” was no match for God. David had defeated lions and bears while protecting Jesse’s flocks. David knew that the same God Who delivered him from those creatures would deliver him from this one as well. (1 Samuel 17:37)

For David, the contest was never between
David and Goliath.
The contest was always between
God and Goliath.

Application

It’s interesting to hear David and Goliath talking smack to each other in 1 Samuel 17:43–47. Goliath taunts David for his stature. David taunts Goliath for his self-reliance and his unbelief in the Sovereign God. David assures Goliath that God will bring victory and prove to everyone that Israel has a God and that God has delivered the Philistines to Israel. (1 Samuel 17:46–47)

We need David’s mindset when it comes to spiritual warfare. There is no contest between God and Satan. Satan is not God’s equal! Not even close!

All too often we forget to bring God into our spiritual battles. All too often we forget that victory in spiritual battles isn’t ours to secure.

The battle is the Lord’s!

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
1 Samuel 17
1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 19
1 Samuel 20
Psalms 59