What’s Your Goliath?

David was an amazing man of faith.  I was recently reflecting on the struggles in my own life and I was led to one of the greatest stories of faith in the Bible – the story of how little David conquered the giant Goliath.  In an attempt to understand how David was able to secure such a victory, I had a “fictional” conversation with the legend himself. The following is an excerpt from our conversation.

Kaleb: There’s this thing in my life; it might be a small thing to you compared to the battles you’ve fought, but it’s a big thing to me. It’s somewhat of a Goliath in my life and as much as I try, I have yet to slay him.  There are times when I think I have won, only to have him show his ugly head again, mocking me, taunting me, forcing me to scamper into a corner like a trapped, frightened mouse.  How do I conquer this Goliath once and for all? You did it once, and many times after that – how did you do it?

David: Well first of all, I didn’t do anything. It was all God. I just gave Him control and became the vessel He used to destroy the enemy.  I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had to take food to my brothers who were in the midst of a major battle with the Philistines.  When I got there, I overheard all the commotion about this Goliath who was so powerful, so big. Everyone was afraid and no one wanted to fight him. It made no sense to me at all. It’s true he was a giant, leaps and bounds stronger and bigger than any of us were, but really, he was no match for the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel! And there he stood, mocking us and trashing us and our God!  I wasn’t about to let him get away with it, so I offered to kill him myself.

Kaleb: So Goliath didn’t intimidate you at all? Weren’t you afraid?

David. No, not at all! I had an unwavering faith in God’s power and I knew He was in full control of the situation.  With God in control, Goliath was a mere kitten to me as opposed to the lion that everyone else made him out to be.  It’s a shame that Saul didn’t put his trust in God enough to really believe that he could be victorious.  He endorsed Goliath and magnified him to be more powerful than he really was.  (1 Samuel 17:33). In the end, Saul’s lack of faith cost him his crown and led him to his death.

Kaleb: I’d like to think that I have a strong faith in God but every so often fear has a way of creeping in.  It’s one thing to know that God is with you but when the battle is at hand and you come face to face with that giant, how do you get past that fear of possibly failing?

David: It happens to the best of us. I always encourage myself by recalling past victories in other battles I’ve faced.  Before Goliath, I remembered how God had delivered me from being killed by a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:37).  I took comfort and strength in God’s unfailing faithfulness in past battles.  My advice to you is to remain steadfast and resolute in your faith, trusting that God will deliver you from this struggle you’re facing, regardless of how dire the situation appears to be.  Keep the faith and trust God to do the rest.

Kaleb: What’s also hard is the lack of support from those around you, especially when the things that you struggle with are ordinary, practical behaviors for others.  It’s tough living your faith in a world that doesn’t understand.  Many times, you’re ostracized or criticized and it’s so easy to feel alone.  How do you handle that?

David: When I spoke about my intention to fight Goliath, I was ridiculed too.  My own brothers criticized me and thought I was crazy.  But I knew that it was God’s will for me to accomplish this amazing feat and He saw me through to the end. It also opened up so many doors, doors that would have remained closed if I never stepped out in faith and trusted Him.  That one victory led me to be King of Israel.  It is tough, though, and no one said it was going to be easy but the one guarantee we have is God’s promise to always be with us.  His rewards are also greater than anything we will ever get on this earth.  Just focus on His promises and take comfort in His desire and ability to see you through to victory.

Kaleb: You also weren’t even really armed? All you had were a staff, some stones and a slingshot? (1 Samuel 17:40).

David: (LOL) Ha! No, you think that’s all I had. Did you already forget the first thing I told you? God was on my side; that was all the armor I needed!  Fortunately for you, you have the Bible. You always have His word to equip you with what you need to succeed. That’s all you need to conquer this struggle you’re facing. By the world’s view, Goliath appeared more adequately armed, but he still lost.  In fact, I used Goliath’s own sword to take his head off – the same sword he was going to use to kill me.  God has an amazing way of turning the tables and using for our good, the very thing that the enemy wants to use to destroy us. Like I told Goliath, don’t underestimate my God—you shouldn’t either. Finally, never go into battle already defeated.  Speak the outcome you want and arm yourself with the right attitude and a confidence that you will have your victory.

1 Samuel 17: 45-47:  David 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.  This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that 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.”