Courageous Confidence

I have always focused on the famous Bible story of David and Goliath from the moment when the battle begins to David defeating Goliath. However, I am reading straight through the Bible this year, and it is shedding such fresh light on a lot of stories that I have read countless times before, this specific one included. I focused so intently on the events leading up to the battle between David and Goliath and I was struck by so many different details.

For example, I was impressed by just how much was on the line! Goliath had basically bet everyone’s freedom in the battle. If he won, the Israelites would belong to the Philistines as slaves, and if Goliath was defeated, the Philistines would serve the Israelites.

Another detail that stuck out to me as I read was that Goliath reminded them (better yet…tormented them) every day for FORTY days with these threats. To the Israelites, it was hopeless because Goliath was unbeatable.

But then David comes on the scene!  David who had something special. David who had already received the spirit of the Lord. He was, as you could say, in the right place at the right time. Finally, on day 40, David heard the charge that Goliath was threatening the Israelites with.  God had David RIGHT where He wanted him. And you can bet that God has us right where He wants us, too.

In verse 26, we see David speaking to the men he was standing with, “What will be done for the man who kills the Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” In this moment, I see CONFIDENCE. This is the moment where victory begins to belong to David. He knows that His God is able to defeat the Philistine giant in whatever way God sees fit. Because of his confidence in the Lord, David has victory over Goliath, long before he ever picks ups the five stones.

1 Samuel 17:38 tells us that Saul shares his own tunic and armor with David as he goes out to battle, but it is holding him back from the task at hand: battling the enemy. David does the only thing he feels he can do and he takes the armor off so that he can better battle his enemy. Just a little side note, but sometimes what we feel is protecting us or helping us to battle the enemy is actually holding us back or limiting us from engaging him fully. As I read this passage, I can’t help but wonder, what is holding me back? What might be holding you back? What could you shed from your life in order to better battle the enemy?

After David shed the armor, he was free to pick up his five, smooth stones. These stones would be the weapons he would use to defeat Goliath. Once you have shed what is holding you back, what are some things you might need to pick up in order to battle the enemy?

David had courageous confidence as he stood before his unbeatable enemy because he knew the battle belonged to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). We can have the same courageous confidence as David because we serve the same God, and He is still fighting for us.