I love David in the Bible. He reminds me so much of me! (Ha, ha!) The story of David and Goliath is my favorite Bible story. Not only does it equal any fiction writing or motion picture adventure in its fascination and grandeur, but it is fraught with powerful spiritual truths for Christians to learn. “Those things which happened unto them happened unto them for examples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (l Cor. 10:11).
David was either an older teenager or in his early 20’s, not the little boy characterized in Bible picture books. We know this from the description in 1 Sam. 16:18 (henceforth all quotes are from 1 Samuel unless otherwise noted) where David was described as “cunning in playing (a musical instrument), a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a handsome person, and the Lord is with him.” When Saul described David as “but a youth” (1 Sam. 17:33), he was referring to his inexperience as a soldier, not his size or physical strength. If David had been anything but fully grown and rather large at that, then Saul (By far the tallest man in Israel-9:2) would certainly not have had David try on his armor! And David would have said “it doesn’t fit” instead of “I haven’t proved it” (17:2). The real lesson in David defeating Goliath is not “And if God could use a little boy like David. . .” Rather, the lesson is: “It doesn't matter how big your enemy is, with God’s help you can defeat him.”
Goliath was a Philistine soldier about 9 feet tall carrying a spear with a head that weighed about 25 pounds (17:4-7). He certainly must have been a horrific sight. He challenged the armies of Israel to send someone to fight him. If the giant defeated him, then Israel would serve the Philistines. However, if Goliath was defeated, the Philistines would become Israel’s servants. What a picture of what Romans 6:16 says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”. Every fallen human has at least one major “Goliath”, one Philistine (a fear, a sin, a great weakness, a physical, financial or emotional attack (read Job 1, 2), or a bondage that is either directly or indirectly caused by the work of the devil). “To whom you obey” hints that by yielding to a sin or some defeating problem we’re yielding to the enemy. Thus, the David and Goliath story translates into New Testament times as mankind’s great struggle against their personal “Goliaths”, something troubling in the natural world, a demon or involving bot
h.
When David went to visit his older brothers who were stationed at that battle line facing the Philistines, everyone began telling David about Goliath and his challenge. They also informed him that whoever killed Goliath would have king Saul “enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.(17:25). The King of King’s has also promised to give those of us who overcome their Goliaths “great riches”. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” (James 1:12). Revelation 2 and 3 are full of glorious rewards promised to those who “overcome” their Goliaths. Moses “esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of Egypt.” (Heb. 11:26). Fighting the reproaches of our “Goliaths” to “win Christ” (Phil. 3:8) is such a great privilege, it is called a “treasure”. Saul promised to reward Goliaths killer by making “his father’s house free”. What a heritage we leave to our children and grandchildren, when we break yokes and curses off of our family lines bringing freedom to generations to come! There’s a lot at stake if you defeat your giant!
Actually, you likely have more than one “giant” in your life. It’s interesting that when David was gathering stones for his sling to fight Goliath, he picked up five stones (17:40). It’s likely that David had heard that Goliath had four sons who also were giants (II Sam 21:15-22). So, he was already preparing himself to face four other giants.
Some erroneously think “if I could just defeat my Goliath” I could start living and be happy. No, rather fighting giants is what life is all about! David fought horrible enemies all his life: Goliath, Saul, lust, rebellious children, curses, enemies, depression. You can read his struggles in the Psalms. Yet, during his battles he learned to “encourage himself in the Lord” (30:6) and that “in thy presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). Read too Psalm 23, 27, 32, etc.
My first giant was condemnation. Forty-one years ago, I went through a year of daily guilt and feelings of alienation from God because of my diet (I thought I was a glutton, after all, I had gained 20 pounds! Ha, ha). It was a miserable year in many ways. But, through the truths of the book of Romans, I conquered condemnation.
Then I discovered there were more giants: I battled with pornography. God delivered me 20 some odd years ago. I’m still gloriously free! I thought once I overcame pornography, I’d be happy. But, I was surprised to discover that I still had to fight ongoing depression. Thank God, He gloriously helped me overcome that. Then there was a life long battle with fear. It is under my feet to the glory of God.
Now, I’m 59 and still dealing with other Giants and I’m sure most of you are too! This is what the “good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) is all about! Don’t let this fact discourage you, in case you figured once you defeated today’s giant, tomorrow you’d be on easy street!
Be encouraged, because every giant you defeat simply makes you stronger and builds your faith and raises your spiritual life to a higher level-better able to defeat bigger and bigger giants and better able to help others defeat theirs!David had already had experience with a lion and a bear and defeated them. So he could boldly say, “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.” (17:36).
I’m in my 5th decade of serving Christ and have a wealth of experience in fighting giants. In fact, I’m now fighting what seems to be the biggest giant of my life (more about this in another newsletter)! It’s a difficult time. But, I’m not running around desperately counseling with every one I can to find an answer (as I did during a terrible battle 30 years ago). I am not depressed (as I used to get when the battle was raging). Why? Because all I have to do is, like David, think back to the lion and bear trials of the past and how God brought me through victoriously. God is the God of history. “Behold, I am the Lord, I change not”. (Mal. 3:6). He’s “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8). And, He promised, “I will not allow my faithfulness to fail.” (Ps. 89:33). If he provided for you in that financial emergency 10 years ago, he’ll provide for you now. If he healed you 20 years ago, He’s still well able to heal you today. If he delivered you from that lion yesterday, like David, you can trust him to deliver you from the bigger “Goliath” today.
“New level, new devil” is a saying that shouldn’t scare you, only remind you that this bigger giant you may now be facing is still little compared to God. I like the song, “We’ve got a great big God, and a little bitty devil.”
It’s true, hallelujah! Sit down with your mate or a Christian friend and recount past victories and how God brought you through past trials, and “encourage your self in the Lord”. The devil would have killed you long ago if he could. David’s God is your God and hasn’t changed a bit!
When David heard about Goliath’s challenge, he responded by saying, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” (17:26). David was an Israelite and had been circumcised showing his covenant relationship with God. Goliath was uncircumcised and had no covenant relationship with God. Satan is like goliath. He has no right to attack and keep you in bondage. You are a child of God. You have a legal right to command him to go! (Luke 10:19, Mark 16:17, 18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8). Your covenant is the Old and New Testament. A testament is a covenant. It reveals what is your inheritance. Every promise in that covenant is your sacred right! But, it is not automatic. Thus David added, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David understood the privilege of being in the army of God. We too are in that army. We are called to be soldiers. You are not a little boy with a slingshot. You are a mighty warrior. Joel 3:10 says, “Let the weak say, I am strong (in the Hebrew, a “warrior”). (See also II Tim. 2:3, 4).
David was a warrior, but his confidence was not in his ability to defeat lions or bears nor in his skill with a slingshot. His confidence was in God’s power. David told Goliath, “This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee . . . The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s.”
(17:46-7). David trusted God to help him defeat Goliath. He confessed it and to prove his faith he “ran toward the army to meet the Philistine” (17:48). Put your sling (Bible) in your hand. Pull out 5 good verses to stand on. And, run with faith toward your giant. You are more than a conqueror through Christ! (Rom. 8:37). Cut that giant’s head off today!
David was either an older teenager or in his early 20’s, not the little boy characterized in Bible picture books. We know this from the description in 1 Sam. 16:18 (henceforth all quotes are from 1 Samuel unless otherwise noted) where David was described as “cunning in playing (a musical instrument), a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a handsome person, and the Lord is with him.” When Saul described David as “but a youth” (1 Sam. 17:33), he was referring to his inexperience as a soldier, not his size or physical strength. If David had been anything but fully grown and rather large at that, then Saul (By far the tallest man in Israel-9:2) would certainly not have had David try on his armor! And David would have said “it doesn’t fit” instead of “I haven’t proved it” (17:2). The real lesson in David defeating Goliath is not “And if God could use a little boy like David. . .” Rather, the lesson is: “It doesn't matter how big your enemy is, with God’s help you can defeat him.”
Goliath was a Philistine soldier about 9 feet tall carrying a spear with a head that weighed about 25 pounds (17:4-7). He certainly must have been a horrific sight. He challenged the armies of Israel to send someone to fight him. If the giant defeated him, then Israel would serve the Philistines. However, if Goliath was defeated, the Philistines would become Israel’s servants. What a picture of what Romans 6:16 says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”. Every fallen human has at least one major “Goliath”, one Philistine (a fear, a sin, a great weakness, a physical, financial or emotional attack (read Job 1, 2), or a bondage that is either directly or indirectly caused by the work of the devil). “To whom you obey” hints that by yielding to a sin or some defeating problem we’re yielding to the enemy. Thus, the David and Goliath story translates into New Testament times as mankind’s great struggle against their personal “Goliaths”, something troubling in the natural world, a demon or involving bot
h.
When David went to visit his older brothers who were stationed at that battle line facing the Philistines, everyone began telling David about Goliath and his challenge. They also informed him that whoever killed Goliath would have king Saul “enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.(17:25). The King of King’s has also promised to give those of us who overcome their Goliaths “great riches”. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” (James 1:12). Revelation 2 and 3 are full of glorious rewards promised to those who “overcome” their Goliaths. Moses “esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of Egypt.” (Heb. 11:26). Fighting the reproaches of our “Goliaths” to “win Christ” (Phil. 3:8) is such a great privilege, it is called a “treasure”. Saul promised to reward Goliaths killer by making “his father’s house free”. What a heritage we leave to our children and grandchildren, when we break yokes and curses off of our family lines bringing freedom to generations to come! There’s a lot at stake if you defeat your giant!
Actually, you likely have more than one “giant” in your life. It’s interesting that when David was gathering stones for his sling to fight Goliath, he picked up five stones (17:40). It’s likely that David had heard that Goliath had four sons who also were giants (II Sam 21:15-22). So, he was already preparing himself to face four other giants.
Some erroneously think “if I could just defeat my Goliath” I could start living and be happy. No, rather fighting giants is what life is all about! David fought horrible enemies all his life: Goliath, Saul, lust, rebellious children, curses, enemies, depression. You can read his struggles in the Psalms. Yet, during his battles he learned to “encourage himself in the Lord” (30:6) and that “in thy presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). Read too Psalm 23, 27, 32, etc.
My first giant was condemnation. Forty-one years ago, I went through a year of daily guilt and feelings of alienation from God because of my diet (I thought I was a glutton, after all, I had gained 20 pounds! Ha, ha). It was a miserable year in many ways. But, through the truths of the book of Romans, I conquered condemnation.
Then I discovered there were more giants: I battled with pornography. God delivered me 20 some odd years ago. I’m still gloriously free! I thought once I overcame pornography, I’d be happy. But, I was surprised to discover that I still had to fight ongoing depression. Thank God, He gloriously helped me overcome that. Then there was a life long battle with fear. It is under my feet to the glory of God.
Now, I’m 59 and still dealing with other Giants and I’m sure most of you are too! This is what the “good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) is all about! Don’t let this fact discourage you, in case you figured once you defeated today’s giant, tomorrow you’d be on easy street!
Be encouraged, because every giant you defeat simply makes you stronger and builds your faith and raises your spiritual life to a higher level-better able to defeat bigger and bigger giants and better able to help others defeat theirs!David had already had experience with a lion and a bear and defeated them. So he could boldly say, “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.” (17:36).
I’m in my 5th decade of serving Christ and have a wealth of experience in fighting giants. In fact, I’m now fighting what seems to be the biggest giant of my life (more about this in another newsletter)! It’s a difficult time. But, I’m not running around desperately counseling with every one I can to find an answer (as I did during a terrible battle 30 years ago). I am not depressed (as I used to get when the battle was raging). Why? Because all I have to do is, like David, think back to the lion and bear trials of the past and how God brought me through victoriously. God is the God of history. “Behold, I am the Lord, I change not”. (Mal. 3:6). He’s “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8). And, He promised, “I will not allow my faithfulness to fail.” (Ps. 89:33). If he provided for you in that financial emergency 10 years ago, he’ll provide for you now. If he healed you 20 years ago, He’s still well able to heal you today. If he delivered you from that lion yesterday, like David, you can trust him to deliver you from the bigger “Goliath” today.
“New level, new devil” is a saying that shouldn’t scare you, only remind you that this bigger giant you may now be facing is still little compared to God. I like the song, “We’ve got a great big God, and a little bitty devil.”
It’s true, hallelujah! Sit down with your mate or a Christian friend and recount past victories and how God brought you through past trials, and “encourage your self in the Lord”. The devil would have killed you long ago if he could. David’s God is your God and hasn’t changed a bit!
When David heard about Goliath’s challenge, he responded by saying, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” (17:26). David was an Israelite and had been circumcised showing his covenant relationship with God. Goliath was uncircumcised and had no covenant relationship with God. Satan is like goliath. He has no right to attack and keep you in bondage. You are a child of God. You have a legal right to command him to go! (Luke 10:19, Mark 16:17, 18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8). Your covenant is the Old and New Testament. A testament is a covenant. It reveals what is your inheritance. Every promise in that covenant is your sacred right! But, it is not automatic. Thus David added, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David understood the privilege of being in the army of God. We too are in that army. We are called to be soldiers. You are not a little boy with a slingshot. You are a mighty warrior. Joel 3:10 says, “Let the weak say, I am strong (in the Hebrew, a “warrior”). (See also II Tim. 2:3, 4).
David was a warrior, but his confidence was not in his ability to defeat lions or bears nor in his skill with a slingshot. His confidence was in God’s power. David told Goliath, “This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee . . . The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s.”
(17:46-7). David trusted God to help him defeat Goliath. He confessed it and to prove his faith he “ran toward the army to meet the Philistine” (17:48). Put your sling (Bible) in your hand. Pull out 5 good verses to stand on. And, run with faith toward your giant. You are more than a conqueror through Christ! (Rom. 8:37). Cut that giant’s head off today!
David & Goliath
Evangelist Dea Warford
Evangelist Dea Warford
Helping equip God's people to minister
more effectively to the lost in their community.
more effectively to the lost in their community.
Evangelist Dea Warford
