Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-11
David and Goliath
17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. (about 9’-9”) 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; (about 125 pounds) 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. (15 pounds) His shield bearer went ahead of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (NIV)
Observation:
The sight of Goliath was terrifying in itself. Towering over every other soldier, he was a formidable force. “Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.’” (1 Samuel 17:8-9)
Application:
In life, we may encounter challenges that seem insurmountable; it is during such moments that the battle belongs to the Lord. We lack the ability to prevail on our own and confronted with tasks of a divine magnitude, it is God who will act on our behalf, when we place our trust in Him.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, You are our defender and our shield. You are our ever-present help in times of trouble. Help us to always trust in your providence. Amen.