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I heard the song about a week ago and it has been on repeat since. I have gone back to read and yes, reread the story of David and Goliath several times (and in several different versions) at this point.

And here is what I am learning:

1. Our giants will taunt us. In 1 Samuel 17:8, we are told: “Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites….”. A taunt is meant to provoke, demean, and insult a person to respond with an action. Its usually done in a derogatory and sarcastic fashion. Again in verse 23 it says: “Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.” Notice it is the same taunt, the usual one. Our enemy knows us and knows us well. He will use the same taunt, the exact words every time to get at us.

2. Our giants will wear us down. “When Saul and the Israelites heard this {the taunt}, they were terrified and deeply shaken” (verse 11). As they allowed their fear to grow and shake them, they began to lose hope of beating the giant. If we continue to listen to the taunts of the enemy and believe his lies, we will lost hope and that is his intended purpose. To get us give up.

3. We need to view the giant differently. I love at this point that verse 12 says, “Enter David” (The Message). David comes to the same exact place, sees the same exact giant, and hears the same exact taunting. But instead of being filled with fear, he is outraged and asks, “Who is this who defies the armies of the living God?” (verse 36). David knew and relied on Who his God was based on his history with God. He states, “God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine!” (verse 37). David did not see Goliath as a giant. He saw him as a Philistine, an enemy which could be defeated by his God.

4. Giants will fall. David knew Whose strength and Name he had come: “…but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the armies of Israel” (verse 45). With only a sling and a stone, David ran out to meet Goliath. He reached into his shepherd’s bag, hurled a stone with his sling and hit Goliath in the forehead. And just like that, “Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground” (verse 49). The giant fell.

We love the story of David and Goliath. But why?

The Biblical narrative is not primarily a story about human courage effort: instead it is about the awesome power of a life built around bold faith in the Lord. This account demonstrates the power of a single faith-filled life to inspire an entire army to victory and the vulnerability of all who “defy the armies of the living God”, when confronted by individuals who possess courageous faith in the Lord. As McCarter states, “It is Yahweh who gives victory, and he may give it to the weak (Israel) in order that his power might be known to all.”

(New American Commentary, Volume 7, page 187)

May we be people whose lives are built around bold faith in our God. May we realize He gives us His strength so that He may be seen in and through our lives.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

And giants fall!

 

 

GetInline-8This is Day 28 of 31 Days Of Going In Circles. You can find the entire series here .

Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and Titus 2 Tues. and Teaching What is Good .