In the Name
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’”—1 Samuel 17:45
David and Goliath—there is perhaps no better-known story in the Old Testament. The boy, David, visits his brothers who are at the front, at war with the hated Philistines. The two armies are camped opposite one another, facing off day-by-day, ready to move at the slightest provocation. Finally, the Philistine champion, Goliath, takes the battlefield, throwing down the challenge to Israel—produce a champion to meet me on the battlefield in order to determine who is better. But the Israelites remained silent. Fearful of the strong giant and finely skilled Philistine warriors, the voices in Israel were mute—except, that is, the boy David’s. While bringing food to his brothers at their camp, David hears the Philistine challenge and is incredulous. Indignantly he questions men standing by him: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”—1 Samuel 17:26. David’s response is not of an arrogant youth, but of a deep believer in God. This giant had blasphemed the name of the “living God.” God was not a god in name only, but the living God, the one true God, who ruled over all creation. David’s response showed his unwavering belief in God’s presence and power.
And while David’s immense love is seen in his question, his brother, Eliab, is offended and annoyed. Eliab angrily questions his motive and his position; after all, David was just a boy, and what boy visiting an army at war could dare make such boastful statements? But David’s heart was not proud, nor was he arrogant; he simply had the right perspective. David’s words proved to be so inspiring and so courageous that soon King Saul heard about it and had him brought before him. Saul questioned David, but David’s unwavering trust and courageous spirit inspired the king, and David was chosen to fight the giant. David wasn’t a soldier yet, but Saul attempted to make him one by putting him in armor. It proved to be too large and clumsy for the novice David to use in battle, so he abandoned it and took only five smooth stones and a sling to fight the Philistine giant.
To Goliath, David’s small size and appearance produced disdain and contempt. Goliath was a seasoned warrior with no equal in size and stature, and rather than the Israelites sending their best warrior—a small boy was sent! A child was sent to do a man’s work! Goliath’s contempt dripped from his mouth as he cursed David by his gods. But David responded, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
David realized that the battle belongs to the Lord. He wasn’t fighting in his own strength, but fighting on behalf of God Himself. And while Goliath was better trained, more seasoned, and considerably larger, it didn’t matter, for he hadn’t blasphemed or cursed some localized deity that others nations worshipped. He had blasphemed and spoken against the one true God—the maker of heaven and of earth!
As Goliath made his way to the battle line, David ran quickly at him. He placed his hand in his bag, took out a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine between the eyes! The sheer impact of the rock to Goliath’s skull was paralyzing. David ran to him and stood over the mammoth giant lying helplessly on the ground. He took Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head. David was victorious!
Emboldened by David’s courageous act and victory, the Israelites charged and defeated the now fleeing Philistine army. It was a dynamic victory for David, a great act that displayed a genuine faith and courage that saw the power of God in the face of overwhelming odds.
What about us? Do we have the courage to see Christ when times are tough? When the enemies of God appear all around us and no one will rise to the challenge, will we stand for God, knowing that the weapons with which we fight are not “of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”? —2 Corinthians 10:4
May God give us the strength and courage to believe so. May we see His power and presence in our lives when we are faced with overwhelming trials and troubles. May we have the faith to stand and fight, not in our own name or strength, but in the name of the Lord God—the one true God of the universe who has called us unto Himself to be recipients of Christ’s salvation! May we do it for His glory and our joy! Amen.
David and Goliath—there is perhaps no better-known story in the Old Testament. The boy, David, visits his brothers who are at the front, at war with the hated Philistines. The two armies are camped opposite one another, facing off day-by-day, ready to move at the slightest provocation. Finally, the Philistine champion, Goliath, takes the battlefield, throwing down the challenge to Israel—produce a champion to meet me on the battlefield in order to determine who is better. But the Israelites remained silent. Fearful of the strong giant and finely skilled Philistine warriors, the voices in Israel were mute—except, that is, the boy David’s. While bringing food to his brothers at their camp, David hears the Philistine challenge and is incredulous. Indignantly he questions men standing by him: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”—1 Samuel 17:26. David’s response is not of an arrogant youth, but of a deep believer in God. This giant had blasphemed the name of the “living God.” God was not a god in name only, but the living God, the one true God, who ruled over all creation. David’s response showed his unwavering belief in God’s presence and power.
And while David’s immense love is seen in his question, his brother, Eliab, is offended and annoyed. Eliab angrily questions his motive and his position; after all, David was just a boy, and what boy visiting an army at war could dare make such boastful statements? But David’s heart was not proud, nor was he arrogant; he simply had the right perspective. David’s words proved to be so inspiring and so courageous that soon King Saul heard about it and had him brought before him. Saul questioned David, but David’s unwavering trust and courageous spirit inspired the king, and David was chosen to fight the giant. David wasn’t a soldier yet, but Saul attempted to make him one by putting him in armor. It proved to be too large and clumsy for the novice David to use in battle, so he abandoned it and took only five smooth stones and a sling to fight the Philistine giant.
To Goliath, David’s small size and appearance produced disdain and contempt. Goliath was a seasoned warrior with no equal in size and stature, and rather than the Israelites sending their best warrior—a small boy was sent! A child was sent to do a man’s work! Goliath’s contempt dripped from his mouth as he cursed David by his gods. But David responded, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
David realized that the battle belongs to the Lord. He wasn’t fighting in his own strength, but fighting on behalf of God Himself. And while Goliath was better trained, more seasoned, and considerably larger, it didn’t matter, for he hadn’t blasphemed or cursed some localized deity that others nations worshipped. He had blasphemed and spoken against the one true God—the maker of heaven and of earth!
As Goliath made his way to the battle line, David ran quickly at him. He placed his hand in his bag, took out a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine between the eyes! The sheer impact of the rock to Goliath’s skull was paralyzing. David ran to him and stood over the mammoth giant lying helplessly on the ground. He took Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head. David was victorious!
Emboldened by David’s courageous act and victory, the Israelites charged and defeated the now fleeing Philistine army. It was a dynamic victory for David, a great act that displayed a genuine faith and courage that saw the power of God in the face of overwhelming odds.
What about us? Do we have the courage to see Christ when times are tough? When the enemies of God appear all around us and no one will rise to the challenge, will we stand for God, knowing that the weapons with which we fight are not “of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”? —2 Corinthians 10:4
May God give us the strength and courage to believe so. May we see His power and presence in our lives when we are faced with overwhelming trials and troubles. May we have the faith to stand and fight, not in our own name or strength, but in the name of the Lord God—the one true God of the universe who has called us unto Himself to be recipients of Christ’s salvation! May we do it for His glory and our joy! Amen.
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