Today we are going to visit together about an episode in the life of David—one I am sure you all are very familiar with—his encounter with Goliath. Hopefully you will gain some new insights into this story that will strengthen and encourage you.

The story encompasses all of I Samuel 17. I am only showing the core passage here but if you can take time to read the entire chapter it will explain in detail some of the story I will be referencing today. 

I Samuel 17: 45-47,49 (NIV) “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.  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 facedown on the ground.”

In my opinion this example gets a blue ribbon for demonstrating amazing trust and confidence in God. I mean tell me I am wrong. Here is this relatively young man who has barely ventured beyond his sheep herding borders. David has absolutely no street smarts, no prior experience with handling monstrous bullies, and certainly no military prowess. And he is dressed in sheep herding attire. Goliath is mammoth, self assured beyond the pale, an old war dog, and completely covered with and protected by armor. You could not ask for a more mismatched duo. In addition David was not in the most positive frame of mind. He was fresh off a tongue lashing from one of his brothers accusing him of being nosey and asking far too many questions. The only thing the kid was guilty of was showing up with food his daddy had him bring to his brothers who were in the army. 

Some time back I posted a blog regarding God telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  You may recall Abraham was so sure God was bringing a positive solution in his favor that he shared his confidence with his servants.  He said it right out loud—“we will be back”.  Well here we have another assertive announcement—

David was definitely his grand daddy Abraham’s progeny. He was so confident that he yelled out across the battle field what the results of this confrontation were going to be. I can just hear Goliath’s laughter upon hearing David’s proclamation of his intentions.  He had to be incredulous at this youngster’s assertions.  David’s words reached everyone within ear shot which not only included Goliath and the Philistine army but the army of Israel as well. I get cold chills when I read what David so vehemently proclaimed. What a speech he gave—WOW—giving all the credit and glory to God. Not one word bragging about how good he was with a sling shot or his prior conquests.

David’s trust in victory came from past successful experiences using his sling shot to kill a bear and a lion. Interesting that, even though one might comment there is quite a difference between slaughtering a lion, a bear and a Goliath, that David knew God had delivered an enemy into his hands before and He would do it again. There was only one unprotected place on Goliath’s body—the middle of his forehead— and God made sure David’s stone hit that small spot.  David trusted God to direct it to the exact needed location. Years later David would proclaim in Psalm 105:4 (NIV): ”Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.”

Just as an aside—I love the description of how David took his time selecting just the correct stone. He was preparing himself for battle. This was what God was going to use to slay the enemy and David wanted to be sure he got it right—his very best for his Lord. Do you take time to prepare yourself for battle so that when you confront your spiritual enemy you are ready with your very best? 

I digress here for a moment—David did not show up to be a hero—he had NO idea how God would use him that day. He appeared on the scene as a lowly shepherd boy—least of his siblings—to bring sustenance to his brothers. When we simply show up for God with no other purpose than to serve Him, be in His will, walk in His way, and in assumptive confidence and expectation ask for our needs and wants —oh my gosh how astonishing the results can be. We have no idea what a day will bring.

How do you meet your Goliath’s? Do you come out against them declaring victory in the name of the Lord and not in your own cleverness? Do you challenge the devil when he bombards your faith trying to fill you with doubt with stones of God’s Word? When Satan tries to discourage you do you resist him by recalling past answered prayers and rewards of staunch faith in God’s plan, provision, love, and care? 

In closing I leave you with this passage. Whether this is the first time you are reading it or you have read it numerous times, let it speak to you loudly. Concentrate on every syllable, soak it all in and cling to it with every fibre of your being. And if you do you will have no problem going out to the very end of that limb of faith. 

HEBREWS 11:1(AMP) “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

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