The example of David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17) is a great encouragement to us, giving us strategies for how to become more than a conqueror. David was only a young man and Goliath a 9′ 9″ ‘giant’ (bigger than Schwarzenegger!), yet David teaches us much about conquering our giants.
- He received God’s anointing (1 Sam 16:13), even though Jesse did not consider him worth bringing in from the fields to meet Samuel. The anointing from God via Samuel became the transforming factor in David’s life, filling him with power and confidence. Jesus too received God’s anointing (see Luke 4:18) and promised we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8). We need to be like Paul, seeking to know more of Christ’s resurrection life (Phil 3:10) and seeking the anointing that breaks all yokes of slavery.
- He recognised his opportunity. Sent on a lunch mission by his father, David seized the moment (1 Sam 17:26), not being intimidated by Goliath, Saul or the disdain of his brothers. He had confidence in God and pressed his case (1 Sam 17:36). Smith Wigglesworth once said, ‘we miss the grandeur because we lack the audacity.’ Like Bartimaeus, we need to press on, even when discouraged by others, and speak out when God gives us opportunity.
- He relied entirely upon God. Saul offered him his kingly armour (a real honour), but David was wise enough to distinguish between hindrances and helps and knew that he had to be himself, relying entirely on God. What God had done for him in the past (delivering him from the paw of the lion and of the bear) gave him confidence that deliverance would come now (1 Sam 17:37). We need to resist the temptation and pressure to please others and determine to rely on God alone.
- He refused to listen to the enemy’s threats. Often, we find it easier to believe what the devil says than what God says, but we must refuse to listen to the voice of fear. Goliath taunted David, predicting disaster and cursing him (1 Sam 17:43-44), but David chose not to be intimidated by fear (see 2 Tim 1:7). Fear is not just an emotion; it has a profound effect on our bodies, as Dr Caroline Leaf, a Christian neuroscientist, reminds us (‘fear marinates the body in toxic chemicals.’) We need to learn to listen to the ‘Voice of Truth’ as Casting Crowns remind us, for Prov 28:1 tells us that ‘the righteous are as bold as a lion’ – confident, unashamed and fully aware of who is King!
- He raised his voice to prophesy Goliath’s destruction. We need to speak out with the voice of faith, as David did (1 Sam 17:45-47). As we speak out God’s promises, He is able to make these promises come to pass. Prov 18:21 reminds us that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We need to be like Caleb and Joshua, speaking out the truth of God’s Word so that we see the destruction of every enemy.
- He ran quickly to the battle. In David, we see no fear, no reluctance, but an eagerness and enthusiasm to do God’s will. We can do this when we have a revelation of how much God loves us. After all, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Rom 8:37). Perfect love drives out fear (1 Jn 4:18), for we are not saved by performance, but by paternity. (Rom 8:32) When we are secure in God’s lavish love, we can do what God says we can do with alacrity and determination.
