1 Samuel 17-18

March 27

1 Samuel 17-18

The story of David and Goliath is one of the best known stories in the bible. We hear sportscasters speak David and Goliath when two mismatched teams face each other and the underdog pulls out an unlikely victory. David was a young man; he was the youngest of eight boys. He was an afterthought. His father, Jesse did not even think to have him come in from the fields when Samuel showed up to anoint one of his sons as the next king.

David’s brothers saw him as their kid brother who had no business being at the Israelite camp. I can hear David when confronted by his brothers, he sounds like the youngest son; "“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?”" (1 Samuel 17:29, NIV)  Saul told David; “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”" (1 Samuel 17:33, NIV) David realized that he could not imitate Saul and wear his armor. Goliath saw David as a little boy fighting out of his league.

In the eyes of men, David was powerless. David did not focus on what men saw in him. He knew his God was powerful enough to take care of the giants in his life. God had delivered him from bears and lions when he was tending sheep and David knew God would deliver him when he faced Goliath. David did not need the tools others used; he only needed the tools God had given him; a sling and a few stones from the creek bed.

Goliath came with man made weapons, but David came in the name of the Lord.  He proclaimed to the Philistines; "it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”" (1 Samuel 17:47, NIV) God took care of David and the giant and his army fell. David did not focus on the size of the giant like the rest of the Israelite army did; he focused on the size of his God.

We all face challenges in life. Some are huge, some are seemingly small. No matter the size of our problem, our God is bigger. Like the Veggie Tales song says; “God is bigger than the boogie man. He’s bigger than Godzilla and the monsters on TV. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, and he's watching out for you and me.”

No matter your giant, God is bigger. Don’t let people tell you you are too small for the job. Trust God.