This morning I felt lead to go back to one of the most famous stories from the Bible, the story of David and Goliath. As I was reading through the story a couple of things stood out, which gave me cause to think some more.
Here are some excerpts from the story - 1 Samuel 17:2-3, 8-11, 16, 23-24, 41 NIV:
[2] "Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. [3] The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them."
[8] "Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. [9] If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” [10] Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” [11] On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified."
[16] "For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand."
[23] "As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. [24] Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear."
[41] "Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David."
So my first thought was that this whole scene, the gathering of the armies on hillsides facing each other and having Goliath come out and challenge the Israelites, continued for 40 days. In fact, it is almost comical when you think about it, Goliath would come out and say his lines, and then the Israelites would all run away. I actually can't believe the Philistines didn't attack, after the Israelites showed their fear the first time.
Secondly, you have to wonder why the Israelites kept going out to the battle lines? You have to wonder if they were hoping the Philistines would get tired and just go home, or maybe Goliath would trip and fall and hurt himself and not be able to come out and fight? It was a very strange situation to say the least.
The situation just stinks of fear and intimidation, and I believe that is part of the main message. The enemies of God always try to cause fear and intimidation to keep us out of the fight. They threaten us, threaten our families, and do everything they can to strike fear into us. Fear causes paralysis and flight. The armies of Israel knew they couldn't back down and basically forfeit the battle, but they didn't have the heart, or belief that God would help them in the battle. They just looked at the threatening large opponent and ran away back to their tents.
What they all were waiting for was for one man to step up and take the challenge. The problem was that there wasn't that one man, until David, a mere youth showed up. What set David apart was his faith in God. His faith wasn't just something he had heard, but it was something He had experienced. He knew, through experience, that God was who He said He was, and that His promise of protection was real. He understood that his success didn't rely on his own strength or skill or armor, but rather in the Lord.
David reminded the Israelites, through his actions, that they served the living God. This God would not allow His name to be derided, nor His people destroyed, if they would believe in Him and trust in Him. David put his own life on the line, and put his beliefs into action. He stepped into the battle because he did not allow the fear and intimidation of the enemy to override his belief and faith.
Thirdly, I was wondering what happened to Goliath's shield bearer, who went in front of him against David. Historically a shield bearer was also a warrior, one whose job was to guard the back of another while they were engaged in battle. There is no further mention of him, but clearly something occurred. One could conjecture that he lost all courage when Goliath, his hero, was struck down. That is often the way with those who gather around a bully, when the bully falls they all run. Another possible scenario is that David, dispatched him as he did Goliath. Whatever the reality, even against two to one odds (one could argue it was much worse than two to one), David was victorious.
So let us take heart today that we serve a living God! Many of us are facing trials, struggles and attacks and we need to know that God is our Champion! Our faith in Him and belief that He is who He says He is are the most important things in our life. Our courage should not arise from our own strength, but rather from our experience of trusting in the Lord. If we don't have that experience, then it is time to ask the Lord to show each of us how He cares for us and strengthens us. It is time for us to step into our own battle-grounds leaning on Him, trusting Him. He loves us and has no intention of allowing the enemy to be victorious over us. All it takes is one man or woman to step up...and that is me and you.
Amen!
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