(Taken from 1 Samuel 16 & 17)
I love the story of David and Goliath. A story of how something big, something amazing, something even unimaginable can happen when God is on our side.
A shepherd boy. The image of little David with his harp near the still waters, overlooking his flock is what comes to mind. Yet his words to the enemy, Goliath, "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." I read this story yesterday, that I had read many times in the past, but it came alive yesterday as I read the words David spoke to Goliath. What confidence. Not a bit of fear in this guy. The bible says even that he ran quickly towards the battle line to meet this enemy. No fear at all. David knew that there was power in the name of the LORD, and he wasn't afraid to use it!
The Spirit of the LORD had been upon David in power from the time he was anointed by the prophet Samuel, and the bible tells us that it was with him "from that day on", so there is no doubt, David had great reason to run at this giant with confidence. Just as he told Saul "your servant has killed lion and bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of God." The image of David playing his harp near still waters was starting to fade as it was being replaced by a scene from "Samson", fighting the fierce lion. This was not a timid boy. In fact, prior to this time, when Saul asked his attendants to find a musician to soothe his headaches, David was described by one of the attendants as "a brave man and a warrior" and "a fine looking man" (and when you aren't feeling well, it helps that he's brave and fine looking, yes?) and also described him as the Lord being with him. With this description, the shepherd boy that I had pictured in my mind going into battle was now a picture of a young fiercely brave man. I picture him tall in stature, as he was given King Saul's armor and while he chose not to wear it "because I am not used to them", we can't assume that the armor just didn't fit. King Saul was a tall man, described as "a head taller than all the rest" in Israel. Should David been a small boy as I had earlier pictured in my mind, the thought of the King dressing him in his armor would seem ridiculous. Yet armor was not necessary. David's armor of protection was from the LORD.
Much was at stake that day. The king would have to have been confident in the man that he allowed to approach the enemy, as the terms were to the tune of - we'll fight to the death. If I win, you serve us.. you win, we serve you. Sending a shepherd boy to the battle line with so much at stake would seem crazy, but this was not just any shepherd boy. King Saul must have saw the mighty warrior in David as he approached the king speaking confidently about the victory that Israel would see delivered to them that very day.
Victorious it was! The taunting champion was brought down and his fellow army turned and ran. The LORD had once again delivered His people in a way that no other than He could do. A stone. A single stone. Guided with such precision to hit just in the right place to make the giant fall to the ground.
"I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty!" Let us remember this when our enemy is taunting us. Regardless of what weapons our enemy has, we can be confident that with the LORD on our side, and our full trust in Him, we can withstand, and we can be victorious! There is power in His name!
