With the biblical story of David and Goliath we can learn five principles that will help us face the great challenges or “giants” that come our way in life.
These principles are:
- The importance of knowing God
- We must know the weapons we have
- we need to know ourselves
- We should not be intimidated by what we see or hear
- Our greatest desire should be that God be glorified
the biblical story
We find the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistines, fierce enemies of Israel, had challenged the Israelites to war. The two armies positioned themselves facing each other on opposing hills, with the Valley of Elah in between, and waited.
For 40 days Goliath, a Philistine giant with impressive armor, came out in the morning and in the afternoon to challenge the people of Israel with a rather burlesque tone:
What are they marshalling their ranks for battle? Am I not a Philistine? And are you not in the service of Saul? Why don’t they pick someone to take on me? If he is able to face me and kill me, we will serve you; but if I defeat him and kill him, you will be our slaves and serve us.
(1 Samuel 17:8b-9)
The entire army of Israel felt intimidated, from King Saul to the youngest soldier. The freedom of the people was at stake! The Bible says that “when Saul and all the Israelites heard what the Philistine said, they were dismayed and very afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).
David was the youngest of eight brothers and his three older brothers were with the army of Israel. Since 40 days had passed, his father Isaí-who was very old-asked him to go to the battlefront to bring something to eat and to see how his brothers were doing.
David was a shepherd so he left another shepherd in charge of his sheep, went to the battlefront and found himself in the situation. Each army on its mount, the valley in the center, and Goliath loudly defying the Israelites. He also heard that although Saul offered a good prize to whoever dared to fight, the number of volunteers was surprisingly low: exactly 0!
David was outraged. “Who does this heathen Philistine think he is, who dares to defy the army of the living God?” he asked. Some who heard him went to Saul and he sent for David. They talked for a while and David managed to convince Saul to allow him to face Goliath. Your reasoning of him? God had delivered him several times from wild animals and he trusted that God would deliver him from Goliath.
This is how David faced Goliath, beat him and killed him armed only with a slingshot, his staff, his shepherd’s bag and 5 smooth stones. But actually those No they were David’s only weapons!
Let’s look at five basic principles that were decisive in this story.
David’s Basis for Success
1. David knew God:
David knew the great power of God because he had experienced it in his own life. Although he was very young, probably a teenager, he already knew without a doubt that God is faithful and that he helps his children at all times.
As a shepherd David had seen large, ferocious animals attack his flock. God had helped him by giving him the strength and skills necessary to defeat them. That is why his faith in God was firm and he was completely sure that the Lord would help him on that occasion to defeat Goliath.
The Lord, who delivered me from the clutches of the lion and the bear, will also deliver me from the power of that Philistine.
(1 Samuel 17:37)
to reflect: Have you experienced the power of God in your life? Do you remember specific situations in which God helped you overcome a trial or solve a problem? Was your faith strengthened by that experience? Has your trust in God grown over the years?
Meditate on Psalm 121 and affirm yourself in the confidence that your security comes from God.
2. David knew his weapons:
Saul offered David his battle dress and weapons, but David would not use them. He couldn’t even walk carrying all of that on him! He preferred to use the weapons he used daily to protect the sheep from him: his staff, his shepherd’s bag, his slingshot, and five smooth stones that he chose very carefully. He knew how to use them, what they were for, and how he could make the most of them to make them more effective.
David also knew what it was his most powerful weapon: the name of the Almighty Lord! His trust was really in God, not in his own abilities as a sheep herder. That was why he was so sure that he would achieve victory, even if logic and eyesight supported the contrary.
You come against me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
(1 Samuel 17:45)
to reflect: Do you know the armor that God has provided for his children? Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and allow God to examine you and show you how to use the weapons that he has given you so that you can overcome the moments of trial, temptation or difficulty that come into your life.
Learn about the armor of God: its meaning and how to use it.
Study passages that talk about the power of God’s name such as those found in Proverbs 18:10, Acts 4:5-13, and Mark 16:17-18.
3. David knew himself:
David took care of his family’s flock, he knew how to use his strength and cunning to rescue the sheep. He knew her speed and his agility. He knew the perfect distance to attack effectively without risking too much. He knew the abilities God had given him and used them with confidence.
David replied: I have to take care of my father’s flock. When a lion or a bear comes and takes a sheep from the herd, I chase him and beat him until he releases his prey. And if the animal attacks me, I grab it by the mane and keep hitting it until it is dead. If this servant of His Majesty has killed lions and bears, he can do the same with that heathen Philistine, because he is defying the army of the living God.
(1 Samuel 17:34-36)
to reflect: Do you know the talents, gifts and strengths that God has given you? Are you using all the potential that God has placed in you for His glory? God has created us for a purpose and expects us to do our best to bless and help the people around us.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit: what they are, what they mean and how to use them.
4. David was not intimidated by what he saw:
Even Saul, who was the king of Israel and the tallest man among all the people (1 Samuel 9:2), was intimidated by Goliath’s size and armor. This one for his part took advantage of that fear and launched threats in a loud voice. But David was not intimidated by either the height or the shouting.
David focused on something the others missed: the part of Goliath that was unprotected. That small space on the giant’s forehead that was left exposed. He focused his attention on hitting there, landing a good hit right there, and so he beat him!
A famous warrior, a native of Gath, left the Philistine camp. His name was Goliath, and he was almost three meters tall.
(1 Samuel 17:4)
to reflect: Do you take advantage of the opportunities that God puts in your life? Do you focus on the doors that God opens for you or how difficult they seem? Do you fill your mind with the Word of God and go to the Father in prayer each day to receive the necessary encouragement? Or do you let yourself be carried away by defeatist thoughts and the belief that you will not be able to do things?
10 verses of encouragement for difficult times.
5. David had a purpose: that God be glorified
The glory would go to God, his name would be exalted. David was certain that he would succeed in defeating Goliath in the name of the Lord, but he did not seek to be recognized or admired for it. He knew that victory would only come through divine intervention. God would be glorified and everyone would see the great saving power of God delivering his children from evil.
The way God fights or the weapons he uses may seem illogical humanly speaking. However, his weapons are the most effective because they come full of power, with his blessing and lead us to glorify his name.
All who are here will recognize that the Lord saves without the need of sword or spear. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will deliver you into our hands.
(1 Samuel 17:47)
to reflect: Do you do everything for the glory of God or are you proud of your achievements? Do you talk about the things that God does in your life? Or do you prefer to talk about yourself, your intelligence, your strength or your skills? Make a count of “inexplicable” things you have seen in your life: provision at the right time, protection from some evil, healing or improvement of your health. Give glory to God. Thank the Father and tell others about his wonders.