God vs Goliath: It Was Never In Doubt

David versus Goliath: it’s a story that we have all heard repeatedly. A youthful shepherd faces a generationally talented warrior and a monster of a man in single combat with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones from a stream — and wins. How? This battle has become the story version of Philippians 4:13 — a passage taken out of context and distorted to fit a false narrative. The battle of David and Goliath has morphed into a microcosm of the American Dream — “by hard work, effort, passion and pulling ourselves up by our *sandal* straps, we can accomplish anything!” While these qualities are definitely admirable and may contribute to success, true success and the ability to conquer the giants of our lives — both in terms of sin and life challenges — comes through the Lord’s strength and might, not our own.

While David may have slung the stone that pierced the forehead of Goliath, it was not David who went out on that battlefield — his Lord went before him and it was merely through the vessel of David’s prepubescent body that God won the battle over Goliath. Against sin and the challenges of life, our futile attempts to stand up under them are disastrous and lead to our own demise; yet, the Lord is faithful to the righteous when we seek the Lord and draw on His strength instead of our own. Nonetheless, we cannot allow pride to creep into our being as our works and are filthy rags to the Lord and any good thing that comes from us is of Him — not of ourselves. This truth applies just as much to the battlefield and David’s story as it does to ministry and evangelism — it is not through us that anyone is saved, the Lord may use us as vessels but it is His handiwork through and through. As Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

The aspect of this story that resonated with me the most is the opposition that David received in his quest to pursue the Lord faithfully from a righteous heart. David quickly learns that, when you assume a leadership position, you will face opposition — even from the people who (theoretically) should lift you up. David is belittled by not only his enemy Goliath, but also by his older brother (Eliab) and the frightened king Saul. While it is important to have advisers around us who are faithful men, we must listen to the commands of the Lord — as these commands precede any and all earthly knowledge. I have found that in my own walk with the Lord, wolves have come in the clothing of sheep with the assumed purpose of offering advice and counsel, only to seek to tear me down or lead me astray. But we must always listen to the Lord, following Paul’s wisdom in Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The flip-side of David’s admirable passion and trust in the Lord is the lack of trust and fear shown by Israel’s king at the time — Saul. Saul allows his fear to dictate his actions, while David allows the Word of God to flow through him and direct his steps. Furthermore, in the words of the great Julius Campbell of “Remember the Titans”: “Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.” The Israelites assume the posture of their king, with fear that mirrors that of Saul and later the confidence that David exudes as they pursue the Philistines fleeing from the battlefield.

In conclusion, David and Goliath’s story is much more than that of a youthful shepherd boy defeating a monstrous warrior — it is God’s story. It is the story of how God uplifts His faithful servant to accomplish His will and protect His people, in order to continue to pave the way for the arrival of His son. Do we see how big the giants in our life are? Or do we see how great, mighty and majestic Our God is?