Life-changing events are not always bad.

David’s life was simple: Live in his father’s tent and watch the sheep. Israel was at war with the Philistines. What else was new? David’s brothers were in the army, and his father, Jesse, sent David to bring them food. Up to this point, David had not heard of Goliath’s challenge to Israel. Goliath was the Philistine champion, and all Israel had to do was find its own champion to fight against Goliath (and win).

The problem was that Goliath was over 9 feet tall and had armor, sword, and spear to match his size. He was battle-tested from his youth.

The deal on the table was “Winner take all.”

While bringing his brothers food, David noticed all the men in the army were afraid, and David saw the challenge before them. David simplified the challenge. Goliath had defied the armies of Israel and also the living God that they served.

David said, “Is there not a cause?” Is there a reason to fight? God, at times, would have us turn the other cheek, but here, David decided to accept the challenge.

When Saul heard that David was willing to fight, he tried to convince David otherwise. But that did not work. Then Saul tried to protect David with his armor, but it did not fit, and, in the end, David decided that he hadn’t proven the armor as he had proven the Lord in his victories over the bear and the lion who attacked his sheep pasture. 

Despite David’s bravery and confidence in God, everyone around him was saying he was too young.

When Goliath and David finally met on the battlefield, Goliath could not believe what he saw. “Are you kidding me? Is this the best you have?” Goliath said he would kill David and feed his flesh to the birds.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) 

David was not afraid as he approached Goliath, a man of war in all his glory, and David with a sling and five stones.

David shot one stone and hit Goliath so hard in the head that the stone sank into his head, and Goliath fell dead on his face, and David then cut his head off. David won.

Sometimes we need to look beyond all the realities that sit in front of us, the odds stacked against us in our lives, the so-called giants. We need to find the reason or cause that we fight for.

Scripture tells us that Satan is out there, walking back and forth, seeking whom he would devour. 

We fight for the cause of Christ, His church, and the living God of Israel, and that is greater than all the Goliaths who have ever walked the earth. When that cause sinks down deep in our hearts, it helps us to be stronger and braver than we normally would.

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

God Bless You.

Brother Jim Sgro