Before confronting Goliath, David didn’t ask for a list of names of those who were more skilled and impressive in stature than he was.
Nor did David need to see his opponent’s fans or fight record.
David trusted in God’s faithfulness to guide his understanding of the future. That was enough.
“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine,” said David (1 Samuel 17:37).
As a result, David’s triumph over Goliath came not from a weapon but from the name of the Lord.
While tending to his father’s sheep, David faced situations of conflict that prepared him to trust beyond reason — beyond the score of nature and into the realm of God Almighty.
David’s battle with Goliath was similar to Daniel’s in the lions’ den, as both faced an opposing power that was positioned to kill and destroy.
When the king discovered that Daniel was still alive after being thrown into the lions’ den, “The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23).
Daniel climbed out of the pit to embrace a higher purpose.
God offers each of us the same opportunity if we understand the pit for what it is and the character of who He is.
At that time of conflict in their lives, neither David nor Daniel had the luxury of reading ahead to know how their journey would unfold. Their love and commitment to God fully persuaded them to set their focus on their faith rather than their fears.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Their trust in God was bigger than the pit, pain, persecution, or Philistine in front of them. And what was meant to overpower and crush them was ultimately silenced by the faithfulness of God.
Despite the examples of David and Daniel’s testimony, I have been known to feel unsure and scared. Anxiety is, at times, great within me.
I fight against myself, struggling to convert defeating thoughts into obedience. By the time I actually face my giants, I’m already exhausted.
Sometimes there seems to be more than one Goliath shouting above my head and shaking the ground beneath my feet, and the foul stench of the lions’ breath can keep me dizzy in doubt.
I pray for the assuredness of David and Daniel.
I pray that no matter what comes before me or surrounds me, Christ will equip me to keep the sheep that He has entrusted to me — those who may cross my path for a moment or walk beside me for however long the Lord allows.
May the praise of my lips be reflected in my actions. In this, keep my heart aligned to the pulse of Your will, dear Lord.
Keep my witness intact so that I may testify to others about the power, grace, and goodness of Christ Jesus. For count me already dead if I live a day without You, Lord.
I am only alive through Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. And I wait with oil in my lamp for His return.
I do not believe it is a trivial coincidence that God created light on the first day of creation. God, how spectacular You are!
You knew there would be days when we would feel surrounded by darkness, with tensions rising against us to kill and destroy our peace and joy. Yet, the Holy Spirit within us births an eternal light into whatever this world’s gods have created in their attempt to diminish our flame.
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).
Dear Lord, please use the joy that comes only from You to hearten us with the courage to share Your love so that Your saving grace will illuminate beyond what can be explained by anything or anyone but You.
May Your message of salvation alight our souls and become our eternal song, and may this song be as a trumpet declaring God’s favor in this temporal battle.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
This column was initially published by CherryRoad Media. ©Tiffany Kaye Chartier.