1 Samuel 17:1-58 gives us the account of David’s victory over Goliath. In summary, David volunteered to fight Goliath. King Saul tried to get David to wear his own armor, but it was too large for David to use. David then picks up five stones from the brook and puts them in his bag. He then runs towards Goliath putting the first stone in his sling and slings it towards the giant Philistine. The stone hits Goliath between the eyes in his forehead and he falls to the ground and dies. David then takes Goliath’s sword and cuts off Goliath’s head. That day Israel prevailed over the Philistines. All because a shepherd boy who believed God by faith!
The question is, “How was David able to prevail over Goliath?” What are some lessons that we can learn from David? As we see, there were many obstacles for David to overcome to defeat Goliath. What kind of faith did David have?
David had faith for victory. David didn’t trust in himself, but he put his trust in God to achieve the victory over Goliath. David knew he needed the Lord. 1 Samuel 17:45 says, “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.’”
David knew that his own strength was no match for Goliath. In the natural, Goliath could tear David to pieces, but David wasn’t working out of the natural, but in the supernatural! Since David put his trust in God, he had the Lord’s strength. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In other words, “I can do all things through the One who constantly infuses strength into me.”
I’m amazed of how many Christians think they can defeat the devil in their own strength. They think they can scare the devil by how loud they shout, or by how hard they stomp their feet, or by motivational speakers who say they are kicking the devil. It shows us the lack of spiritual understanding and immature thinking of many people these days.
There was no way that David could defeat Goliath in the natural. Goliath would have destroyed David. You see, this whole thing is spiritual. What was taking place in the natural was a result of what was taking place in the spiritual. David put his faith and trust in the God of Israel.
David said in verse 46, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beast of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
This is faith talking! Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen! Faith says, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from you hand, O king.” Faith says, “God can!” Faith says, “God will!” Faith says, “God is able!” Faith runs towards Goliath, not away from him! Faith doesn’t quit on God!
Perhaps there’s a Goliath in your life. Maybe there is something that you can’t seem to get victory over. Goliath can be a sickness or losing your job. Goliath can be fear or a financial difficulty. It can be a marital problem or a sin problem. Whatever it may be, there’s one answer. Take it to Jesus! Commit yourself to Him! Believe God by faith!
He’s the One who can restore your marriage. He’s the One who can wash away all your sins! He’s the One who will fight your battles! But we must surrender to His Lordship. He is supreme! Jesus is the Deliverer! The same God who delivered David is the same God who will deliverer you. May we be assured that the God we serve is bigger than any Goliath we may face!