When God is with us, who can be against us
The Philistine [Goliath] came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a youth, healthy and handsome. He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” Then he cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” the Philistine called to David, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!” David said to the Philistine: “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies—you have defied Him. 1 Samuel 17:41-45 From the text, David looked at the challenge of defeating Goliath as an opportunity to manifest God’s power. He saw the battle from the perspective that God 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 him. David’s primary responsibility was to look after the herd of sheep his family owned. Goliath was a soldier. Israelites feared him and though King Saul offered money to whomever will dare to fight him, yet no one took the offer. Yet David did not care to the reward money offered by Saul. All that mattered to him was to stand against the insults hurled by Goliath to the One-True God of Israel. David’s weapon might appear inferior to Goliath’s but he was not without readiness for he was skillful using his weapons warding off the animals that will threaten his sheep. Also, David trusted God that He will grant him victory. David took the opportunity to struck Goliath between his eyes thus killing him. The point of the story was David’s faith that relied solely on God. He believed that God was with Him. David told Goliath, “Today, the Lord will hand you over to me” (v.46). This account was written to teach believers that trusting God does not mean disregarding the difficult challenges in life. It does not mean that we become oblivious about the difficulties. But despite being aware of the trials in life, yet we will not give up instead will continue to trust God. Times of trials are opportunities for us to grow trusting God. This is how God will develop our faith; by continually standing on the promise that in the presence of God there is strength. Trust Christ and His promise; “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
