Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,†he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?†And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!†Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!â€
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 1 Samuel 17:41-52 (NLT)
How did David know that God was going to give him Goliath? How did he have the courage to go out in the middle of a battle field and face the biggest guy he had ever seen? Alone! God did not bring about this victory in a ‘usual’ way. Saul tried to give David his armor and sword. That would be the usual way to win the combat. God showed David how to put the giant down to his level. Then David took the giant’s own sword and killed him with it. The very thing that Goliath put his trust in – was what brought his demise. Another lesson for me to learn. Where do I put my trust?
David knew God. God was not a casual acquaintance of David’s. David spent a lot of time with God every day. David even sang to the Lord, making up little songs that expressed his joy and yes, even his doubts and questions. They had built a relationship and it was built on trust. This relationship had not come quick and had not come easy. If I am totally willing – it could be quick and easy. I am the one who has to give up past experiences and see God for who He is.
David also knew based on his past life experiences. God had given him the strength to kill a lion that was attacking his sheep. David could count on God in life-threatening situations.
David also knew based on the traditions of His forefathers. He had heard the stories of generations before he was even born!
O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. Â Â Â Â Â Psalm 78:1-4 (NLT)
Let us walk with confidence into this day, knowing that our Lord is faithful and has already gone before us!
