Finding Your David

We all know the Old Testament story of David & Goliath. Now let's be clear on what was going on here.

The Israelites were in a fight for their territory and lives (when have they NOT been in the midst of this) against an invasion of Philistines. The Philistines were recognized as the most superior warrior force - large men, trained in battle, hardcore and all-in for violence and conquest. As the Prophet Samuel tells us:

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.

Let's break this down a bit:

• Height - 9' 9"
• Weight of his armor - 125 lbs.
• Iron point of spear - 15 lbs.

We are talking about an overwhelmingly enormous individual in every possible way; a great warrior with battle-hardened experience. Written & archaeological evidence suggest the average height of a Jewish man during these times was 5' 6", with 5' 9" considered tall. 

Goliath is 4 FEET taller than the tallest man around him. David was a young boy, not yet at his full height. A humble shepherd. There is no way David should have defeated such a, literally, massive enemy. One who taunted & teased the Israelites. But David was wildly courageous - he came forward to defeat Goliath when his older brothers and all his neighbors stood by, quaking in fear.

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

Hmmm - I never said David was timid.

Neither should we be timid. For the Prophet Samuel records David's words just before he killed the seemingly unkillable giant in front of him:

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 deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, 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.

God - has our backs every minute of every day. He doesn't leave us - not ever. We may feel alone and this is because we have turned away from God. 

When life dishes out its many travails, challenges, and outsized opponents we should bring to mind David's words. For God will always be there for us to call upon - a thousand times a day, a hundred times a minute - if that's what it takes to save us from the giants we face. Dig deep to find the courage that God has given to each of us - like David's, enough to slay any giant (physical or metaphorical) that threatens the peace that God wants for us.

After all - David faced down an epic giant and became a King. 

It is no less than what God wants for us - to become Kings in our own time. Strong, courageous, definitely not timid.