David’s Battle With Goliath
Dear Reader,
It’s your favorite girl, Bukola ☺️
It’s been a minute and I must say that I have missed writing to you.
How have you been? How has the month been for you? Great, I hope!
Some weeks ago, Koko wrote to you about fasting. If you missed it, please read it immediately after reading this ☺️
Now tell me, what story in the Bible would you consider your favorite and why?
I have a couple of stories that I love. And one of them, which would be my focus today, is the story of DAVID AND GOLIATH.
In 1 Samuel chapter 17, the Bible records David’s battle with Goliath.
The Israelites and the Philistines were at war, yet again. Their camps, on opposite sides of a hill;
“The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.” — 1 Samuel 17:1–3
For forty days, the Israelities and the Philistines faced each other.
On their side, the Philistines had a giant of great height and strength named Goliath. He challenged the Israelities daily to send a man from their camp to fight with him. But no man dared to go against Goliath, the Philistine’s champion. — 1 Samuel 17:4–8.
When Saul and his men heard the words of Goliath, they were terrified.
“When Saul and the Israelities heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.” — 1 Samuel 17:11.
This was Goliath’s intention. The reason he paraded himself in front of the Israelite army was to make them afraid. This is the same strategy the devil uses against believers!
Then comes David,
The youngest of the eight sons of Jesse was sent by his father to give food to his brothers who were on the battlefield with Saul.
David arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army were preparing for battle. As David was talking with his elder brothers, Goliath came out to taunt the Israelite army. David saw this and asked;
“What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” — 1 Samuel 17:26.
David’s question was reported to king Saul and the king sent for him. David assured the king that he would fight Goliath! But King Saul thought David was incapable because of his age, size, and inexperience.
Little did he know that God had been preparing David for battle. A lion had attacked the lambs and David fought the lion. A bear had come up against the sheep and David battled with the bear.
“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” — 1 Samuel 17:37a
This is generally God’s pattern for preparation.
He calls us to be faithful right where we are and then uses our faithfulness to accomplish greater things. If David had not fought the lion or the bear, he would have been too scared to face Goliath.
As God prepares us, we rarely see how He will use us. However, David’s faith was so strong that he was willing to believe that the Lord would go with him and enable him to defeat Goliath. This should be our stance too.
David’s faith was born out of experiencing God’s grace.
The Lord had delivered him out of dangerous situations in the past, proving His power and trustworthiness, and David relied on Him to deliver him from the Philistine. — 1 Samuel 17: 45–47.
From David’s battle with Goliath, we learn that our God is capable of defeating any giant in our lives — fear, financial troubles, depression, sickness etc, if only we can trust him enough to step out in faith, just like David did.
Our battle with the giants in our lives will result in victory if we cling by faith to God and His power. Because He cares deeply for us and wants only the best for us.
Trials may occur, but they are ultimately for our good and God’s glory.
James tells us to consider it an opportunity for great joy when troubles of any kind come our way because they test our faith and our endurance is fully developed. — James 1: 2–4.
When we are tested by trials, we can, in the power of the Lord, stand up against them, trusting our Saviour to win the victory.
I would love to know the lessons you’ve learned from this story. So, be kind enough to share them with me in the comments.
Till the next time I write to you, remain deeply rooted in Christ, and tell someone about the Yellow Blog so that they can be edified.
All my love,
Bukola 💛
