WHO OR WHAT IS YOUR GOLIATH?

            Do you have a giant in your way in this life?   I Samuel 17 is a narrative of a true miracle of God.  Young David, son of Jesse, was the youngest of eight brothers and was a keeper of his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. (vs.15). David had experience fighting a lion and a bear, struck them, “and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, “I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it” (1 Samuel 17: 35). Saul and the men of Israel were facing Goliath, a Philistine champion, a giant who was “six cubits and a span” (v4).  In todays measurements Goliath was 9 feet tall.  Goliath challenged the armies of Israel to send a man to represent Israel in a battle against Goliath (v8).  “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants.  But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us” (v9).  And Goliath said, “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 of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (I Samuel 17:10). 

            David had great faith in the Lord and was in this fight for the honor of his LORD.  Both Goliath and David felt each would be able to win this fight.  The difference is Goliath rested his faith in himself and his own might.  David, however, viewed Goliath as one who defied the “armies of the living God” (v36).  David told Saul that “the LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). Saul finally agreed to let David be the Champion who would represent the armies of Israel in this battle against Goliath, the Philistine champion whose armor probably weighed more than David. 

            David faced that giant Goliath with a sling and five smooth stones, but most importantly, David faced Goliath with the faith in his LORD and the faith that the LORD would deliver Goliath into David’s hands.  Goliath mocked David and threatened to feed the flesh of David to the “birds of the air and the beast of the field” (v44). David’s response was to run toward the Philistine army and Goliath.  David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and Goliath fell on his face to the earth” (v49). 

            The battle was over.  Goliath was dead, and his head soon rested in Jerusalem.  The children of Israel were victorious over the fleeing remaining Philistines, and this was the beginning of a relationship between the jealous King Saul and David who would become King of Israel.

            Who is your Goliath?  Who comes against you and threatens you with actions of a giant?  Has the pride of the giant been offended?  Is your giant angry for one reason or another?  Is your giant jealous of you because of your faith in the LORD or determined to tarnish your reputation so others will think less of you and the truth you speak? Has your giant cursed you as Goliath cursed David in verse 43 of 1 Samuel 17?  The word “cursed” is the same word used in Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you”.  Since Goliath had cursed one of God’s people, God was bound by His covenant to curse Goliath.   David intended his victory to demonstrate to all the earth that (1) the God of Israel exists and (2) He delivers His own against over-whelming odds.  

            When you face your Goliaths, put your faith in the LORD and KNOW that the battle is the LORD’s.  My Goliaths have slandered my character with their tongues.  They spread that I am a liar, a thief, and other names too despicable to mention in my writing.  The fact that people choose to believe these lies and rumors without first researching if what they hear is truth or pure evil is astonishing to me. The fact that one of my Goliaths makes it a life mission to defame me leads me to believe that this person truly is evil, and the battle is between the forces of good and evil.  For over ten years now I have faced these giants of the devil and have turned every battle over to my LORD.  I have learned that God leads us to victory against such forces; even though the battle can be long and the suffering at times is great.  The fact that many of the persons involved in listening to the rumors and acting on those rumors are supposed believers is truly what breaks my heart.   As believers, we know better than to listen and spread falsehoods, lies and gossip.  But many cannot wait to tell you a great secret destine to tarnish your walk with God.  The enemy sets out to lie, steal, and kill.  Be careful you do not become part of his plan to hurt a child of the living God.  I have seen God work in my life to punish the evil doers and turn things around in my favor.  He will do the same for you.  Have faith that you are in His hands.  God loves His children and although it may seem the enemy is winning, never, ever give up.  God is in control.  And please do not turn into a Goliath by using your tongue as a weapon of the enemy to hurt others.  God reveals, and God does repay. Count on it.

            Israel is in a great battle and the good news is God is with Israel.  He will bless those who bless her and will curse those who curse her.  Pray for Israel and pray for your enemies, even though they may be giants and Goliaths, God will bless you and curse them.

God Bless you and Israel.

Deborah