45David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands… 1 Samuel 17: 45-46A
Our scripture text takes us back to the time when the Israelites, under the leadership of King Saul, were at war with the Philistines over some territorial disputes. Upon reaching some kind of a standstill , both nations drew up a battle line. The soldiers of each nation waited patiently for the signal of attack. Unexpectedly, a very proud and arrogant member of the Philistine camp named Goliath fell out of rank and called out for an unconventional kind of battle. Goliath challenged the Israelites to settle the land dispute through a one-on-one anything -goes- fight between two chosen men- one representing Israel and one representing the Philistines. Goliath appointed himself to be the Philistine’s representative and proudly called on his challenger.
The Israelites were unprepared for this kind of war. They became “dismayed and terrified.” They had not trained anyone for this kind of battle. After all, who among the Israel’s army could possibly defeat Goliath who was virtually a giant because of his 9-foot frame, and who wore an imposing bronze helmet on his head, a 125 pound bronze coat of arms, and who had very heavy javelin and spear. In his desperation King Saul devised so many ways to lure his men to take up the challenge. Aside from setting up a huge compensation package for the brave soldier, he even promised to give his dear daughter as a reward. But despite the offers, no one was willing.
Everyday for 40 days, Goliath would call out on the Israelites to send a challenger, but no one would dare. On the 40th day, a young shepherd boy named David was passing through. He was sent by his father Jesse to Israel’s camp to bring food for his three brothers. Jesse decided to send his youngest son to check out on his brothers who had not gone home for 40 days. Obviously, his brothers became so irritated with David’s unwelcomed presence. While David was in the camp, he saw Goliath and he heard all the insulting words he said to the Israelites. Innocently David reacted, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David’s unsolicited comment was heard by some of the soldiers, who later reported it to King Saul. The King immediately, sent for the courageous, brave and gallant man who said those words. He must have been so shocked and so disappointed when he saw David who proudly said, “Let no one lose heart on the account of this Philistine, your servant will go and fight him.” King Saul frankly told David, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him, you are only a boy!”
With that remark, David was not at all disheartened. He began to tell the King about his victorious encounters with lions and bears as a shepherd. Whether the King really believed David’s story or not was immaterial. Here was a young boy ready to fight. The King already knew that David would lose easily, but who cares? He was willing to stand up for Israel and that was all that mattered. The King ordered that David be dressed for battle. They put on him a coat of arm, a helmet on his head and gave him a sword, but David was not used to these kinds of weapons. And so armed with nothing but fivesmooth stones inside his pouch and a sling- he confronted the great giant. When Goliath saw him, he insulted David from head to toe, but David showed even greater courage before his enemy. He said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and a spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied. … Today, the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel… It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” You know the rest of the account. Taking out a stone, he slung it right into the forehead of Goliath who immediately fell to the ground and died. When Goliath fell, the Israelites launched a mighty attack against the Philistines who all ran away in fear of the Israelites who won a truly miraculous victory over the Philistines. David’s life was never the same again. The humble shepherd boy surpassed all his brothers and eventually became the greatest King Israel ever had.
Like King Saul and the older brothers of David who were Saul’s men, we too have become very dependent on our own army; too proud of our victories; and too confident on our swords and spears that we no longer know what it truly means to trust and to surrender to the Spirit of God. This is why it is very necessary that the Lord leads us to the enemy lines; to come face to face with our own Goliaths, to fight battles that are beyond our comfort zones and to believe once again that God can use even the most ordinary slings and stones to usher his victory. There comes a point when we need to back-off , to step aside and to make way for God’s amazing surprises.
Like David, there also comes a point in life when we need to rise up in faith like never before – – – to fight bigger battles – – – to face bigger enemies and to lay down our lives sincerely in defense of God’s Name and honor. Like David, we cannot be in the sidelines cheering and watching all the times. We cannot remain passive and uninvolved, doing nothing when God is maligned or when our faith is mocked. There comes a defining moment for each of us to rise up in faith like never before – – – to surrender wholeheartedly; to stop talking but instead put our words to action and allow God to use us for his glory despite our limitations and weaknesses.
Just like Goliath, there also comes a time when we need to put a stop to our arrogance and self-worship and to stop underestimating the weak things of this world like stones and slings. Like the Philistines, it is also good to experience disgrace and shame so that we will stop thinking highly of ourselves and realize that our pride is a mockery before God. It is necessary that we too experience our own defeat and downfall, if only to realize who is really in control.
It is amazing to realize that when all is quiet and peaceful in life, it is easy to pretend we are someone we are not. But when battle lines, are drawn, our true selves comes out. Indeed, life’s battles have a way of exposing who we really are. Are you in the midst of fighting a difficult battle? Do you feel so small and helpless in the face of an overwhelming threat? Make way for God’s Spirit. Trust the Lord with all your heart. Take heart! Watch him transform your humble stones and your sling to weapons of victory.
