Day 32- Giants
I love the story of David and Goliath
(1 Samuel 17). On the surface it’s this random
young kid up against a battle worn giant. It looks
like an underdog victory, the kind of story we all
love to hear because we often feel like the underdog
in life. But there’s a much greater depth to
this story. This random young kid is not taking a
stand because he thinks he’s capable of something
amazing. This kid, young David, is angry that his
people have lost all trust and faith in God to deliver
them from their enemy. David sees all of his people
cowering behind this king they asked for (Saul) who
is cowering himself. So it took a kid whose heart
was firmly planted in God to take a stand for God
and His people.
The giant Goliath stepped forward as
a champion, which was a warrior that would fight in
a single combat as a stand-in for the entire army.
His opponent was supposed to be as strong as he was
for an equal battle. In this case facing the giant
should have been King Saul who stood head and shoulders
taller than all the people of Israel. But instead
of being a leader, Saul is trying to pay someone off
with riches, tax exemptions and even his daughter’s
hand in marriage to fight this intimidating giant.
What I love about David here is his
confidence in God. It’s like David never even
looked at the situation from his own perspective.
He simply saw it as an opportunity for God to deliver
His people. We will all face obstacles and challenges
in this life. Jesus says in John 16:33 that we WILL
have tribulation- that’s not an IF
people. God doesn’t always take the obstacle
or challenge out of our lives, but if we trust Him,
He will walk us through it or around it.
I get goose bumps picturing this scene
in my mind. The little shepherd boy David approaches
Goliath without armor or even a sword. He simply has
his staff, a couple of smooth stones and a sling.
David is facing an over 9 foot tall giant fully decked
out in bronze armor and a huge spear in a valley between
two hills where the armies are watching from. The
giant is cursing David and slamming the people, and
here is David’s response (verse 45-47):
“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. This day
the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that
all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
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.”
And then God does just that.
Lord,
Reading this story of David makes me want to stand
up and go fight a battle for You! It seems there is
always a Goliath in my life that I’m facing,
but I know that You are bigger than any giant standing
in my path! I know that You are in control even when
my life seems to be spiraling out of control. Like
David Lord, allow me to see the battles I’m
facing from Your perspective. Looking through my eyes
it’s easy to get swallowed up and scared and
feel like I’m drowning. But from Your view,
nothing is out of reach and nothing is too difficult.
Thank You Lord for this encouragement tonight!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
