2020-3-4

1 Samuel 17:1-58

David and Goliath

The Philistines continued to harass Israel day after day.  Goliath, the Philistine champion, challenged the Israelites to choose one man to fight him.  The Israelites had wanted a king to lead them in battle, but Saul seems not to have considered fighting Goliath himself.  The nine foot tall man dwarfed Saul, who had stood taller than anyone in Israel. The Israelites were paralyzed by Goliath’s appearance, weaponry  and height.

Young David was probably not old enough to qualify for military service, but three of his eldest brothers were on the front lines, hearing the daily taunts of Goliath.  On the fortieth day Goliath’s words were heard by David as he brought food to his brothers and their commander. David was not overwhelmed by the Philistine champion. He asked ‘Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?’  David announced his faith to Saul when he said ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.’ 

David’s courageous faith in the God of Israel grew from steps of faith in his daily shepherding work, as we learn in verse 37.  This is true for us as well. Only as we step out in faith do we learn by experience that God is faithful. David came in God’s name for God’s fame, and GOD would win the battle.  And God, through His chosen servant and king, triumphed completely in this battle. And God, through His chosen Servant, King and Son, triumphed completely over sin and death at the cross and resurrection of Jesus.  He has fought and won the battle for us!

As I reflect on the David and Goliath, I think how every day the Israelites would get dressed for battle.  They would go stand on the front line and they would do NOTHING out of fear and lack of faith in the God of Israel, the One and Only True God.  As followers of Jesus, we have the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords living inside us through the Holy Spirit. How often do we go stand, fully armored (as we have the Armor of God), on the front lines of loving the lost and, instead of acting on faith, we do nothing – just like the fearful and faithless Israelites?  May God grow our faith and may we step out in this faith courageously, as young David did, knowing that our Savior is always faithful and He has already defeated the enemy and death!            —- Mary Mauderer