Facing Our Goliath

Last Saturday, my husband took me to see “David” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I prayed to the Lord right before the concert started, asking Him to keep me from being distracted from the message He wanted me to learn. 

When the show started, my mind completely blocked the noises, the people’s complaints regarding their seats’ locations, and the sound effects; I could only see David, a shepherd boy playing his harp and singing songs to His God. Then the Lord focused my attention on David’s reaction to the threat Goliath represented to the Israelites.

 When David saw how Goliath mocked God, he said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David knew that the same God that delivered him from the lion and the bear’s paw would deliver him from the Philistine. (See 1Samuel 17:37)

 Without hesitating, David took five stones and headed out to face Goliath. He didn’t go up against Goliath because he could but because he knew God was with him. 

Through this act of faith from David, the Lord showed me that we, too, face many giants every day, including loneliness, anger, despair, doubt, fear, anxiety, mistrust, shame, pain and embarrassing pasts, relationships, family, loss, unfulfilled aspirations, sexual assault, and many others.  

But like David, we must look past our Goliath and recognize that we serve a God who can defeat our most formidable enemy.

God shows up when we’re out of options and exceeds our expectations. 

Saul and the Israelites trusted their strength and armor. But when they failed, they

retreated. Although running away from our “Goliath” might feel safe initially, it will not go away unless we face it head-on with the Lord, as David did.

Friends, I have run away from my “Goliath” many times, hoping it would go away.

But I’ve come to learn that, despite my “Goliath,” God is with me, fighting for and beside

me. What do I do now when I face one of my “Goliath”? 

I run into the arms of my Heavenly Father, confident that He will deliver me no matter the

outcome. For the battle belongs to the Lord. 

“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.” 1 Samuel 17:47 NIV

No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can trust and turn to the Lord, knowing that He loves us and has the power to turn any situation around.

Lord, thank you for reminding me through David that I don’t fight my giants alone.

You are with me and will fight for me; my battles belong to you alone. In your

precious, amen.