Tuesday 11 October, 2016

2 Comments/in /by

1 Samuel 17:1-11

17 The Philistines gathered their army together for war. They came to Sokoh in Judah. They set up camp at Ephes Dammim. It was between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the army of Israel gathered together. They camped in the Valley of Elah. They lined up their men to fight against the Philistines. 3 The Philistine army was camped on one hill. Israel’s army was on another. The valley was between them. 4 A mighty hero named Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was from Gath. He was more than nine feet tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore bronze armor that weighed 125 pounds. 6 On his legs he wore bronze guards. He carried a bronze javelin on his back. 7 His spear was as big as a weaver’s rod. Its iron point weighed 15 pounds. The man who carried his shield walked along in front of him. 8 Goliath stood there and shouted to the soldiers of Israel. He said, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? I’m a Philistine. You are servants of Saul. Choose one of your men. Have him come down and face me. 9 If he’s able to fight and kill me, we’ll become your slaves. But if I win and kill him, you will become our slaves and serve us.” 10 Goliath continued, “This day I dare the soldiers of Israel to send a man down to fight against me.” 11 Saul and the whole army of Israel heard what the Philistine said. They were terrified.

Ok, so this is the very famous story of David and Goliath. And like most bible stories, you and I have an unfair advantage because we know the end of the story. We may be tempted to look down on Saul and the Israelite armies as these  wimps who were so terrified that they didn’t want to fight Goliath.

Of course, we know that in this story David responds with faith that His God will help him win this battle. And we know that God responds to David’s faith, and gives David the ability to defeat this formidable foe. This awareness of the outcome of the story makes it easy for us to be full of faith and confidence in God when we know the end of the story works out so well.

So let me think for a moment of a situation in my life were I am facing a potentially fear-filled struggle (battle).  How would I face it differently if I knew the outcome was certain victory?

I can’t know the specifics regarding the future outcome of my battles. However, I am certain that my God has always, and will always respond to my faith and give me what I need to fight my battles and to overcome.

Today, may the knowledge of the ‘end of the story’ drive away any fear and fill me with confidence and faith to fight my battles by God’s grace.

Written by Shelley Witt

2 replies
  1. Richard says:

    The story of Goliath’s challenge is quite well known. Even today in modern idiom we use the phrase “David and Goliath battle” generally to talk about a one sided contest that is won by the underdog.

    Goliath is confident and intimidating, our enemies commonly are, indeed someone who challenges us in a manner that is not confident is open to cross attack from us. A sense of bravado and a real confidence in our abilities are truly essential when we make a challenge to another.

    I do not have physical battles where someone comes and threatens me. My battles are with sin and the devil. Both commonly shout at me to intimidate me. They cause me to look at my inadequacy especially in the light of their perceived strengths. Here is the place of my choice. Israel’s army was terrified. The description of Goliath was detailed, so often our failures are detailed by the devil to further intimidate us. I need to choose God in this moment, to place my faith in Jesus and the finished work of the cross where He defeated sin and death and the devil and I need to stand confident of Him in me the hope of glory.

    Father help me not to be intimidated by accusations and deceptions from the devil and temptations to sin. Help me to have faith in You as my Saviour and Deliverer.

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