1 Samuel 17

Dan and Teresa Phillips consider the need to have confidence in God rather than yourself

Dan & Teresa Phillips

Are you David or Goliath? Can you be both?

You see them walking down the street towards you. On your side of the road struts a 30-something male; tanned, carefully styled hair, well dressed. He knows he looks good. On the other side of the street, there walks a girl who is non-descript, head bowed desperately seeking to avoid all possible attention. Which one do you want to walk towards, which do you want to avoid? Pause for a moment. What do the couple of strangers see when they look at you?

The story of David and Goliath is well-known. It is the classic story of the small conquering the mighty. However, there is more to this story than first meets the eye. Sure, we cannot escape the magnificent victory David achieves in the name of God, nor should we. But there is much more that we can learn from both characters.

Throughout 1 Samuel 17 we read how terrified the Israelite army were in the face of the greatness of Goliath. From his shining armour to huge weapons, he was certainly a sight to behold. In the face of this presence, the Israelite army froze and refused to battle. Goliath stood there merely in his own strength, however impressive it may have looked to the naked eye, while the Israelites cowered despite being able to stand in the power of God. Goliath was able to stand and taunt God and His people without response. David only came into the picture because no one else would stand. A shepherd boy had to fight on behalf of God's people.

So, imagine for a moment that the confidence of the Israelite army was traded with that of Goliath. Imagine that the army stood there in the confidence that their God had already delivered victory to them. I am not sure that Goliath would have lasted long at all. We read the story and celebrate the bravery of David and decry the weakness of his fellow men. But which role would we play in this story?

Do we boldly announce to all who will hear that we can complete anything under our own strength?

Do we meekly hold our heads low and lose sight of our faith in God?

Or, do we believe in our redeeming God and stride into battle knowing that the victory has been won?

Put simply, there is only one way to face battle. If we want to make the best of the world in which we live then we must stand in the faith and strength of God.