Lessons to Live By

The story of David and Goliath contains many lessons. However, I have pointed out six lessons to demonstrate God’s power and the power of having faith and trust in the sovereignty of God, who always brings victory to the faithful and obedient.

LESSON ONE: David was the unlikely candidate selected out of seven brothers to be anointed king of Israel. God had sent the Prophet Samuel to the family of Jesse to anoint the one whom God had chosen to be king. Samuel judged by outward appearance and selected Jesse’s oldest and strongest son. But God corrected Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:6-7). We are not to look on what our physical eyes tells us; we are to act on what God’s Word tells us.

 LESSON TWO: Not long after, the Philistines had gathered their armies together to battle against Israel. They sent Goliath to taunt the armies of Israel, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine and you the servants of Saul?” “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (I Samuel 17:8-11).

Where was Israel’s faith in God? He had delivered them from their enemies on numerous occasions. Yet they focused on the vast army before them and not God who had miraculously led their ancestors through the Red Sea and crushed their enemies.

How many Goliath’s have we faced and will face in our lives? The list is endless of challenges that test our faith. Are we prepared to face our fears and trials head on, while maintaining faith that God is going before us? God has not called us to run from the enemy.

LESSON THREE: David heard of the threat against Israel and told Saul that he would  fight Goliath. Picture a boy who was most likely not much more than 5 feet tall, 97-130 pounds going against a ferocious and intimidating 9’ 9” giant, guesstimated to have weighted close to 900 pounds. Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him…” (I Samuel 17:33). But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God” (Samuel 17:34-36 NIV).

When God instructs us to do something difficult, be wary of those who voice their doubts and fears. If we entertain their fears and doubts, we will fail to follow through with what God wants us to accomplish, thereby, forfeiting our blessing. David refused to take on Saul’s fears, because He had complete trust in God whom he served.

LESSON FOUR: Saul then offered David his armor, but David rejected Saul’s armor, because he had not tested it. He knew what would work for him. So, he took his staff (representing God’s power that was with him), went to the brook, selected five smooth stones, and placed them in his pouch. With sling in hand, he approached Goliath.

Although we may have prayerful support from others, they cannot fight our battles, nor can they walk out our trials. Thus, we must be prepared, knowing that it is God’s Spirit that goes before us and with us. For the battle is not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore, each day, we dress in the full armor of God, which is truth, righteousness, peace, faith that destroys the fiery darts of the wicked, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:11). We would never consider leaving the house half-dressed, so why would we not put on the full armor of God before we start our day?

LESSON FIVE: David stood before Goliath and said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (I Samuel 17:45-46).

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet Goliath. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground (I Samuel 17: 48-49). Though Goliath refused to honor God in life, God would see to it that Goliath honored Him in death as he lay face down in the dirt.

God chooses what is foolish to shame the wise; He chooses what is weak to shame the strong; God chooses what is low and despised, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

God chose a mere boy who had faith that God would defeat the enemy. For that reason, David was not afraid; instead, he ran towards the enemy and declared victory before there was victory. Thus, God honored David’s faith and obedience and it was the power of God that carried that stone to its mark, killing the giant. When we step out in faith and trust God, He will do the rest; He will fight our battles.

LESSON SIX: David then took Goliath’s sword from its sheath and cut off his head. For him to wield a sword as large and heavy as it was, with enough power to cut off the giant’s head, he had to have supernatural strength from the LORD.

We are to do things, not of our own strength, but under the power of God. We move forward in faith, knowing that He will provide all that we need to accomplish the task (Philippians 4:13). For God is the ultimate power and all power is subject to Him. “He gives strength to the weary and gives power to the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). That power does not come from us; it comes through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Therefore, we walk in faith and not by sight.

PRAYER: Father, thank you, that Your way is perfect; Your word is proven. You are my shield when I trust You (Psalm 18:30). Increase my faith that I may always follow Your lead, no matter how difficult the journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.