Trouble was brewing between the Philistines and the Israelites as they gathered at Socoh, which belonged to Judah. They camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. Saul and Israel assembled at the Valley of Elah in a tight formation. One army stood on one side of the mountain while the other troops stood on the other with the valley between them. The remarkable story unfolds in 1 Samuel Chapter 17, AMP.
Goliath, from Gath, the champion of the Philistines, challenged them to fight him in what seemed like a winner-take-all battle. His armor was impenetrable, and he appeared unstoppable as nobody had conquered him.
As he boasted of his abilities, Goliath demanded that King Saul send a man to fight him. For forty days, standing over nine feet, morning and evening, he taunted Israel as he defied their army. It was enough to make Israel shutter in unbelief. Goliath thought he was something else and that no man could defeat him.
Sometimes, what stands before you looks like a giant that is impossible to defeat. It roars like a lion while it smashes your confidence. It comes with an armor of challenges, threats to take everything you hold dear, difficult people, and an uncertain future. What you were once sure of can now be snatched away. Fear grips you because your faith has been shattered. Beloved, Psalms 27:14 reminds us to wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He will strengthen our hearts.
When all you see before you is an unmovable mountain, what do you do? What did David do? He ran toward Goliath. Even his armor was no match for the armor of Goliath. That did not matter to David because his reliance was on the Lord. Despite Goliath's intentions, David knew God's purpose was unstoppable. He had to face Israel’s fears so that God could save and deliver them from the wrath of Goliath.
My Friend, that giant is not there to defeat you; it will push you to the throne. It is there to open your eyes to see that when all odds stand against you, God is more than those against you. (Romans 8:31). We must look to Jesus because He is our only hope when everything seems hopeless. He uses the most unlikely avenue to advance you to a position of honor, though you are not even qualified. Dear One, face your fears because God has faith in you and has equipped you to win this battle.
David’s actions showed God how loyal he was. God saw his strength, though he was weak. He saw his abilities, though he had no military experiences. He saw David’s fearless faith, though he had no armor. Beloved, God sees greatness in you, though others see somebody not fit for the kingdom. He has faith in you when all others doubt you. This modern culture calls for a warrior with unwavering resilience to silence the mouths of lions, dismantle the walls of division, and make unpopular decisions that bring a spiritual awakening. You, Warrior of God, are that person. Take your rightful place in the Kingdom of God. Like David, Gideon, Mary, Esther, and countless others, the Lord will change the course of time through you.
I pray the song Warrior by Steven Curtis Chapman stirs your heart and ignites a flame in you to do the contrary and turn the world upside down.
TIME FOR REFLECTION: When Goliath takes center stage, how will facing our fears help us take the throne?
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