Facing life's challenges trusting God's perspective

Facing life challenges trusting God’s perspective

Goliath came toward David, walking behind the soldier who was carrying his shield. When Goliath saw that David was just a healthy, good-looking boy, he made fun of him. “Do you think I’m a dog?” Goliath asked. “Is that why you’ve come after me with a stick?” He cursed David in the name of the Philistine gods and shouted, “Come on! When I’m finished with you, I’ll feed you to the birds and wild animals!” David answered: You’ve come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I’ve come out to fight you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful. He is the God of Israel’s army, and you have insulted him too! Today the Lord will help me defeat you. I’ll knock you down and cut off your head.” 1 Samuel 17:41-46 When going through trials and circumstances, the faithful follower of God will be determined to follow God and trust His working. From the text, David looked at the challenge of defeating Goliath as an opportunity to manifest God’s power. He sees the battle from the perspective of God who promised to be with Him. Goliath was described as a veteran soldier and equipped with spear and sword. He ridiculed David because of his appearance and the weapons he brought to fight Goliath. David was a young man that was responsible in bringing the food for his older brothers working as soldiers for the Israelites. His primary responsibility was to look after the herd of sheep his family owned. Goliath was a man of stature. He was feared by the Israelites and this was so because no one took King Saul’s offer to reward anyone who will fight Goliath. David did not care to the reward Saul promised to whoever will fight Goliath. What prompted David to go forward was the continued insult of Goliath to the God of Israel. David did not volunteer to go into the battle unprepared for a fight for he himself had experienced defending himself and taking care of the sheep by warding off animals that will kill the sheep. His weapon was five smooth stones and with a sling that will be used to propel the stones. David trusted God to grant him victory when he aims the stone that he will hurl to Goliath. He will have five opportunities to defeat Goliath but once he hurled the first stone, David struck Goliath between his eyes and killed him. The story points to David’s faith. He believed that God will be with Him. This is not his first experience to trust God in the midst of a challenge. He believed God will help him. This account was written to teach believers that trusting God does not mean disregarding the difficult challenges in life. It does not mean that you become oblivious about the difficulties but being aware of them yet will not give up instead trust God. Times of trials are opportunities for you to grow trusting God. This will develop your faith and it shows that you stand in the presence of God who is the source of your strength and has available resources so you can face the challenges in life. Focus should be on the Almighty God and not on your opposition and problems. Trust Christ and His promise; “Christ gives me the strength to face anything” (Philippians 4:13).

Blessings,