No Sword in David’s Hand

“You’ve GOT to be kidding me!” That must surely have been similar to the thoughts that passed through Goliath’s mind when he went out that day to, once again, challenge the Israelites. Scripture says: When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth (1 Samuel 17:42). “Disdained” is a nice word that means he was not impressed! In fact, verse 43 quotes Goliath: The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

This may seem a strange way to begin our word of encouragement today, but there is something in this story I want you to consider. David did not defeat Goliath because he was smaller, lighter and quicker while Goliath was just a big, clumsy target. Goliath was a seasoned warrior. He was a champion of the Philistines. David did not think he could win because he was so good with a slingshot he knew he could not miss. He never approached any of the challenges in his life that way.

David had defended his father’s sheep from bears and lions. In fact, he had killed these dangerous predators, but even then he knew that it was God Who had delivered him. And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you” (1 Samuel 17:37). David told King Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32). I do not know how old David was, but he was apparently too young to fight as a soldier, yet he could not stand it that an enemy of God’s people could challenge them (and even Jehovah Himself) and get away with it.

Sometimes we face difficulties in life that seem every bit as threatening to us as Goliath seemed to the Israelites. The old devil plants himself right in front of our doorstep and yells his challenge. It is so terrifying that all we can do is shrink back in fear just like that Israelite army. Maybe what we need to do is look back at that young shepherd who was not about to let anybody challenge his God. I know, your troubles do not threaten God; they threaten you! Well, think of it this way. Has God not promised to take care of you? Has He not promised to make sure you never suffer more temptation than you’re able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13)? Well, when Satan attacks you and makes you think God cannot deliver on His promises, that is taunting God! That is the time to pick out your smooth stones and step up and face the enemy.

David said something to Goliath that all of us should remember. He said, “This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46). David said, in effect, a lesson needed to be taught. Apparently, somebody had gotten the idea that they could challenge the armies of God and get away with it. In your life, today, this week, someone may have gotten the idea that they could challenge or threaten you or your peace of mind and get away with it (overcome you). Not so, if you belong to Jehovah!!

You know how the story ended. David killed Goliath, and he did it without a sword in his hand
(1 Samuel 17:50). There are times when we would very much like to fight back with the weapons of this life. Remember, we have weapons much more powerful than those. We have weapons powerful enough for the destruction of fortresses (1 Corinthians 10:4). God has given you those weapons because you need them to get through this life. Do not ever forget, He loves you and so do I.