Do We Trust God Enough?
We’re continuing David’s story this week. Last week, we looked at David being anointed king and how God sees us differently than the world does.
Probably the most recognizable story about David is when he fights Goliath. Most of us heard this story as kids. You know how it goes: young David faces a giant, overwhelming opponent.
There is archaeological evidence suggesting that men of Goliath’s size existed. It is believed that he would have been almost 10 feet tall. That is huge and would have been scary to face.
The Philistines had gathered their forces for war against Israel. Saul and his men went out to face them. Then Goliath stepped forward and shouted at the Israelites. He challenged them to send one man to fight him. Whoever won, the losing side would become servants to the victors.
Saul was a big man, standing a head taller than anyone else among the people (1 Samuel 9:2). Yet he and the entire Israelite army were terrified of this giant warrior (1 Samuel 17:11). It’s as though they had never been in battle before.
They let the size of their opponent intimidate them.
David was sent by his father to take roasted grain, bread and cheese to his brothers, who were serving in Saul’s army, and to check on them. (1 Samuel 17:17-18) While he was there, Goliath came out once again and taunted the Israelite army. When the men of Israel saw and heard him, they ran away in fear.
David asked the men, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).
David’s oldest brother heard him speaking and became angry. His resentment over David being chosen and anointed by God surfaced again.
“Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart — you have come down to see the battle!” (1 Samuel 17:28)
What David said was reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. Saul told David that he couldn’t go out against Goliath.
“You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
But David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
David fully believed and trusted God.
He didn’t let the size of the situation stop him. His trust in God gave him the courage to move forward, believing that God had his back. He trusted God completely!
David faced wild animals regularly. He spent time talking with God and had developed a close relationship with Him. He knew that God was with him in those battles.
We face challenges every day.
The question is, will we trust God and have the courage to face our giants?
Talk things over with God. Listen to what He is calling you to and then have the courage to move forward. You can trust Him to have your back.
