by Arthelo Palma
1 Samuel 17
Philistines were Israelites’ strong and mighty rivals in securing God’s Promised Land. They were thorns to God’s people and one remarkable Philistine who was determined to oppress Israel was Goliath, a soldier who was completely armed for battle, a giant for he was over nine feet tall making him conceited and completely defied God and Israel.
Goliath said to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us” (verses 8-9).
Hearing this, the Israelites trembled with great fear and intimidation, which entirely took over them, for nobody from Israel’s ranks wanted to fight with Goliath. However, David, a Hebrew young boy and a shepherd heard all of this and did not quite like the idea how the Philistines and Goliath defied Israel, so he was determined to go fight with Goliath, just as how he was able to kill both the lion and the bear.
Saul, the king of Israel that time discouraged David. Saul said, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth” (verse 33). But David replied, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (verse 37).
Incompletely armed for battle, except for a sling and a stone, David mightily faced Goliath and killed him. The stone sank into Goliath’s forehead. Such strong courage and determination to fight Goliath was made possible as David believed that his battle was the Lord’s (verse 47).
God’s message:
God is pleased with our faith and having it leads us to victory. Whatever Goliath (giant problems, worries, anxieties, discomforts and other related circumstances) you may be facing in your life today, the word of God said that David’s faith in God’s power to deliver him from the hands of the giant Goliath became instrumental towards his smooth victory in the battle. His strong faith in God’s power led him to win his battle over the Philistine.
God’s promise:
For us who would want to live the life of Christ and aim to become like Him, God would want us to be victorious in every battle we have. Just how He covered David with His divine protection and providence, God will abound us all the protection and ultimate victory, provided we will have faith in what He can possibly do in our lives and personal battles.
God’s command:
Always have faith in God, and expect that He at all times, can do something in our lives.
God’s warning:
Goliath’s confidence in his own capacity, as he was conceited led him to his death and defeat. Just like us today, those among us who put all our trust in our money, talents, abilities and skills, and even pride are most likely to lose in whatever battle we might be facing in our lives. Trusting ourselves leads to destruction, but trusting God leads to success. We will lose the chance to obtain wisdom that comes from God that became the source of David’s victory. David just showed us today everything that happened to his life was because of God’s grace. Thus, whatever achievements we might have now, we must be determined to give all the glory to God.
Application:
Starting now, learn to live everyday with all trust in God’s divine provision.There is no room for discouragement if God is with us.
If God is with us, no one and
nothing can stand against us (Romans 8:31).
photo credit: Renaud Camus via Flickr cc
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