The story of David and Goliath is a classic. Everyone knows this story.
I found myself wondering how desperate Saul must have been that he let an unknown young shepherd represent all Israel in a duel against a trained fighting champion.
Whatever can be said about David and his abilities or cockiness (see 32-37), the heart of the story is David’s total dependence on the Lord.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (45-47)
David exhibits a dependence upon the Lord that goes beyond mere words. Clearly he has lived what he spoke. Faith in the Lord is embedded deeply in David. How and when this happened we can only guess.
David stands as an example of deep and abiding faith. He gives us an example of how we, as Christ-followers, should stand when we confront evil and the forces of darkness in our world. However, to stand like this will not happen overnight. It must be honed and developed in one’s life.
God whispers to me… “Train yourself for battle. Learn to trust Me in little things so that when the giants you face grow larger and larger, you will have a developed faith that will stand as David stood.”
Life will not grow easier for the Christ-follower. Am I training myself for godliness? Am I growing my faith muscles so that they will be tried and ready when the day demands?
How about you… are you training yourself in godliness?
Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit… train me, I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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