“David said to the Philistine, “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.”
1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)
Using a slingshot, guarding his flock from predators, playing the harp, writing and singing songs of praise, were all David’s natural gifts, but it required a supernatural gift of faith and courage to approach the nine foot giant, Goliath. David refused to wear heavy armor or to even carry a spear. He walked up to Goliath with a few stones and a slingshot, in simple confidence that God was with his chosen people. The Israelite army was terrified of Goliath, but God saw something in David, which was faith and genuine love for God and his people.
There are many giants to fear in the world, but David had faith that he was a part of something bigger. God is always looking for some Davids, who believe they are a part of something bigger than the many things to fear all around us.
We are a part of the church, founded by Jesus, who promised that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. We may not have warrior skills, advanced weapons, the highest credentials of education, but like David, we stand in the name of Jesus, who leads us to victory.
In spite of our fears and insecurities, God is with us as we rise up and become giant slayers.
David never saw himself as a chosen “person”, but he knew he was a part of the chosen “people”, who received the promises of God made to Abraham. David’s confidence was rooted in every promise that the Lord made to Abraham.
His motive to defeat Goliath had nothing to do with bringing honor to himself, or to be hailed as a hero, but to bring honor and praise to the God of his people. As we read Peter and Paul’s epistles, we find in them, the same spirit of humility and the same giant slayer confidence that was in David.
Peter reminds Christians of who we are as a people, saying, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may announce the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)
Paul was a physically frail looking man, but his preaching was full of bold confidence. He said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?
Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.” (Romans 8:31, 33-34)
Peter and Paul both spoke like giant slayers!
Our confidence doesn’t come from our ego, or our personal capabilities, but in who we are in Christ. We are all a part of something much bigger than ourselves, which is the Church, chosen and founded by Jesus Christ, who told us in His own words that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church. Jesus gave us a giant slaying promise to hold on to, so that we would think like giant slayers.
We may stumble and fall, but we can still rise again, just like David and Peter both did. With faith, boldness and courage we will face every giant, not in our own strength, but in the power of His name.
We are a church full of Davids, and we have been given natural gifts to use, but also the gift of courageous faith. Even with our flaws, we will forever rise again in the resurrection power of Jesus, and slay every giant for the glory of God and the good of His holy church.
Lord, thank you for raising us up over and again, as we stand confident in the power of your name against all our fears and insecurities. Make us giant slayers for the Kingdom of God. Amen
