Beat Giants

One of the most famous stories in the Bible, David defeating Goliath is the ultimate underdog story. The story has become synonymous with a less favored opponent beating a favored one, heard in sports and politics, a David beating a Goliath.

There is more to the story than it may initially appear. What is a giant opponent in your life? This story can mean so much more if we apply it to our daily lives. I would like to go over a few lessons for this classic Biblical tale.

First, there is the lesson to "not judge a book by its’ cover." David was the smallest of his brothers, and when he entered the battlefield in the valley of Elah, Goliath ridiculed him, Saul, and the Israelites for allowing such a small "boy" to fight against him. Before he shuts his mouth with a stone, David shuts his mouth with the verse above.

Contemplate a major life challenge that you are facing. Think of it as if it were a giant, your "Goliath." Now approach it the SAME way that David does. What does your challenge approach you with? Violence, debt, shame, embarrassment, pain, suffering...none of these can harm you! Although David was small in stature, he made up within heart and faith, as he does throughout his story in the Old Testament. Goliath misjudged him, and our hurdles will also misjudge us if we maintain the same faith and hope that strengthened David on the battlefield that day.

The second lesson comes from 1 Samuel 16:7: "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." I think David proved this verse true during his battle with Goliath. Mocked for his stature, no matter the outcome of the battle, no man could mock him after watching the brave manner with which he fought.

Now think to your own life: who do you most look up to? Are they wealthy, successful, beautiful people? I would say for most of us, the answer is yes to these. Sometimes that means that they are wealthy, successful, and beautiful in God’s eyes, but sometimes not. A pure heart allows God to accomplish any good work through anyone. Is your heart pure? If not, you must work to make it pure in the future.

Lastly, I want to talk about the importance of asking the Lord for help. David has no fear in his battle with Goliath, but few characters in the Bible seek God’s guidance, forgiveness, and counsel more than David. He has confidence that the Lord is with him because he is constantly communicating with the Lord. Do you? The lessons from this story can be used to meditate on any challenge that you may face, so that we may also defeat giants!