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Overcoming Goliath
by Kristenea M. LaVelle (Kristenea's bio)
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“…for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26
The slaying of Goliath: an all too familiar children's Bible story that depicts the faith and courage of a child as the overcoming factor that topples a fierce giant. We get the impression that a simple shepherd boy can walk right out of the hills and defeat a highly skilled, fully armored, ten-foot-tall fighting machine, using only a sling and a few smooth stones. Can it really be that simple? Who is this shepherd boy who made an end to the threat that had Israel's entire army cowering in fear? How could God use a nobody from the hills to smite the Philistine army in one simple act of bravery and obedience? Much more, how can we take this simple example and apply it to our lives as an effective way to defeat the many “Goliaths” that we encounter on our Christian journey? Let's take a look at this fascinating truth in scripture.
“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defiled the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…” 1 Samuel 17:34-37
We find that David, a simple shepherd boy, was diligent to keep watch over the flock entrusted to him by his father. His primary goal was to ensure that no harm would come to the sheep as they grazed in the pasture. At the first sign of danger, David's job was to defend the sheep and thwart the threat to the flock. In this, David was skilled with the staff and the sling, for those are the simple tools of a shepherd. At this point in his life, David had already encountered two major threats to the flock, a lion and a bear. Using the tools he had been given, he successfully delivered the sheep that had been taken captive and defeated the lion and the bear. These two events are not unusual for David's profession, but exactly what you would expect to find if your career was tending sheep.
There is something more at work here than just the obvious. David has a special attitude about the entire situation. He knows that he defeated the lion and the bear, but he is careful to acknowledge that it was by God's hand that he was delivered from those situations. His view of the current threat of Goliath is taken in stride, just as the threat of the lion and the bear. David can perceive the big picture, not just the fight in front of him. It's obvious to him that Israel's army are the sheep of his Father (God), and Goliath is nothing more than a lion or bear. After all, David had already experienced deliverance by God's hand, so why should he fear this “Goliath” facing him now? With that faith and confidence firmly in place, he makes a bold claim, “…The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…” 1 Samuel 17:37. Through all of this, we can see that David has become quite familiar with the nature of God. His faith and strong confidence has come about by personal experience where he observed God's deliverance first hand. He does not put his trust in himself, or his gifts, talents, or abilities, but firmly places his trust in the Living God. This alone becomes his victory!
“And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 1 Samuel 17:38-39
David has taken a stand and is preparing for the battle facing him. King Saul, no doubt out of concern for David's welfare, gives David some body armor in hopes of protecting the lad. After all, it's the King's armor, fashioned from the most durable metals by a skilled craftsman, and most certainly purchased for a high price, but something is wrong. David can not use the King's armor because it has not been proved. He has never worn this kind of armor before and it seems to be more of a hindrance than a help. What is David saying by refusing the King's armor? In essence, he is taking another stand, a stand of faith. David can not use the King's armor because it has been made by the hands of men. The protection it could give is no match for the protection brought by his trust in the delivering power of God. David refuses to put his trust in the things of man and instead chooses to place his trust in the Living God. After all, David has already proved this trust through experience and he knows it to be a sure thing, no matter what danger he faces.
“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance…and the Philistine said to David, come to me, and I will give they flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled. This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:42,44-47
Naturally, Goliath developed a mocking attitude toward David because he perceived that he was but a youngster coming forth to take on the challenge. He hurls insults and threats in a futile attempt to put fear in the heart of the youth. However, David is undeterred by the vain babblings of this giant before him. Patiently and with great authority, he replies to Goliath, “…This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee…for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands.” I can only imagine that Goliath found this to be quite amusing as David stands before him without any visible sign of defense. Goliath has no fear of the Living God, so it must have sounded like foolishness to his uncircumcised Philistine ears.
This is exactly how the world usually responds to a stand of faith. It is as foolishness to them because they do not know or understand the nature of the Living God. They do not see that God goes before His people and defeats the enemy with simple things. Things that the world mocks, God uses for His glory as an avenue to announce His power and might throughout the earth. David, no doubt already understands this truth and therefore takes a mighty stand of faith.
“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” 1 Samuel 17:49-50
Interestingly enough, we see that David slung the stone right at Goliath's head. He didn't waste any time trying for another target, but went right for the weak spot-the forehead. It hit hard and sunk deep enough to smite Goliath and cause him to crash to the ground. (Remember, Goliath was dressed in full armor and mail, but the exposed part of his head was the best target for his defeat.) One small stone in the sling of an obedient, God fearing youth, guided by the very hand of God, turned out to be a mighty victory for the army of Israel. That's it, nothing more. Simple, complete victory.
There are a couple of things to note: David walked in the fear of the Lord. He knew God intimately and he trusted God for his safety and deliverance. David was also obedient to the authority over him, namely his father Jesse, who had sent him to the front lines to begin with. It was out of obedience that David went to the battle to bring food to his brothers. From these attitudes that David portrays, God brought about a victory for the entire nation of Israel.
With that in mind, ask yourself, “What is the “goliath” in my life right now?” Then search your heart, and see if you display the same attitudes that David did. Do you trust God for your safety and complete deliverance? Are you fully yielded to His will and are you walking in obedience to those in authority over you? Do you trust in the things of man or in the simple, unseen things of God? The Apostle Paul exhorts us to continually “check yourself and see if ye be in the faith.” After you have done all to stand, then stand firm in faith and confidence that God will go ahead of you and bring the victory, just like David did with Goliath. Before long, you will see God using the simple things to bring about the victory and deliverance you desire.
Copyright 2003, Kristenea M. LaVelle. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Kristenea M. LaVelle: I am a wife of 10 years and a homeschooling mother of five dedicated to teaching and living the truth of Jesus Christ. David and I make our home in Spokane, Washington where we can serve our family and friends with the love of Christ. It was through His direction that I began writing and found myself on a fascinating new journey in life. Now my joy is made complete by writing for Him and about Him. E-mail Kristenea |
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