32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”—1 Samuel 17:32-33; 45-47
The story of David and Goliath is such an encouraging read. I so want the kind of faith that David displays here! The kind that “encourages courage and discourages fear”.
I confess that my heart often fails even before the battle begins. My mind runs ahead of my circumstances and anxious thoughts assail. I focus on the giant before me and the weapons in his arsenal, instead of setting my mind and heart on the great and awesome God who goes before me and fights for me.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,—2 Corinthians 10:4-5
As I read through the story I was grateful for the example that David set even as he explained to King Saul why he WAS able to go against the Philistine giant, Goliath. He looks back and remembers the Lord’s faithfulness to him as he protected his father’s sheep from both bears and lions. This uncircumcised Philistine would be like one of them.
36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."—1 Samuel 17:36-37
Goliath brought earthly weapons to the battle...a sword, a spear and a javelin. David brought no physical weapons to the battle except those of a young boy...a slingshot and 5 smooth stones. AND THAT was all he needed because David knew that the battle belonged to God. He was weak, but His God was strong and was on his side. He would conquer this giant, and beloved...He will conquer the ones we face as well.
Father...I am not sufficient for anything I face here on earth...no amount of human might, wealth or physical strength is gonna be enough to get me through this vale of tears. I am running on empty all of the time. Fill me with Your fullness and increase my faith! I want the kind of faith that does not turn back in the midst of distressing circumstances but goes boldly forward trusting that You will do exceedingly abundantly in them and through them. Oh, for a greater dependence on You and a decreased dependence on me! Oh, to face the giants in my life not in my own strength but in the strength that Your precious Spirit continually supplies.
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.—Zechariah 4:6
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21
2 Chronicles 32:7,8 (KJV)
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him: 8 With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Psalm 20:6-8 (KJV)
6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psalm 33:16,20,21 (KJV)
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Psalm 44:3-7 (KJV)
3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
