Goliath. It's the name of a giant of a man, who represents every giant that stands in our way.
The story is familiar to many: a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem takes on a well-armored giant with only five smooth stones and a sling. Few battles were ever more unevenly matched. Anyone looking to make a quick buck off of this contest would have immediately placed their money on the giant. From all appearances this nine-foot giant was the overwhelming favorite in a battle that seemed hopelessly lopsided. The underdog, however, had an inside advantage that greatly outweighed the apparent advantage of his towering opponent. And so David could confidently assert that "there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:46-47)
The rest, as they say, is history: one smooth stone found its mark in the forehead of the giant, and the shepherd boy became the ultimate giant-killer. But this story is far more than historic narrative; it represents the possibilities of victory in the epic overwhelming battles that every child of God faces.
Note these words carefully: "the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S". The battles that those who are His face are not their own because they are not their own. The Father wages war on behalf of the people He possesses.
I doubt there is anyone reading these words who does not have some form of "Goliath" in his or her path. Our formidable foes come in a variety of forms: illnesses, financial crises, faith crises, and family conflicts, to name a few. And nothing is easier than sizing up our giant and cowering in fear, but the faith that overcomes sees not the reality of the giant, but the true reality of the Lord who "does not deliver by sword or by spear". Faith doesn't ignore the details of the enemy (1 Samuel 17:4-7), but instead places within the arena the One who truly owns the battle.
No one lives a life of faith without facing Goliaths. Those who are defeated focus on the giants, while the overcomers focus on the Lord of the battle.
Stand strong today amidst your Goliaths. Your meager resources may look as absurd as five smooth stones against a well-armored giant, but remember Whose you are, and Who owns the battle.
I think I just heard the sound of some giants falling to the ground.
Steve
The story is familiar to many: a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem takes on a well-armored giant with only five smooth stones and a sling. Few battles were ever more unevenly matched. Anyone looking to make a quick buck off of this contest would have immediately placed their money on the giant. From all appearances this nine-foot giant was the overwhelming favorite in a battle that seemed hopelessly lopsided. The underdog, however, had an inside advantage that greatly outweighed the apparent advantage of his towering opponent. And so David could confidently assert that "there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:46-47)
The rest, as they say, is history: one smooth stone found its mark in the forehead of the giant, and the shepherd boy became the ultimate giant-killer. But this story is far more than historic narrative; it represents the possibilities of victory in the epic overwhelming battles that every child of God faces.
Note these words carefully: "the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S". The battles that those who are His face are not their own because they are not their own. The Father wages war on behalf of the people He possesses.
I doubt there is anyone reading these words who does not have some form of "Goliath" in his or her path. Our formidable foes come in a variety of forms: illnesses, financial crises, faith crises, and family conflicts, to name a few. And nothing is easier than sizing up our giant and cowering in fear, but the faith that overcomes sees not the reality of the giant, but the true reality of the Lord who "does not deliver by sword or by spear". Faith doesn't ignore the details of the enemy (1 Samuel 17:4-7), but instead places within the arena the One who truly owns the battle.
No one lives a life of faith without facing Goliaths. Those who are defeated focus on the giants, while the overcomers focus on the Lord of the battle.
Stand strong today amidst your Goliaths. Your meager resources may look as absurd as five smooth stones against a well-armored giant, but remember Whose you are, and Who owns the battle.
I think I just heard the sound of some giants falling to the ground.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:42 AM
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