Goliath

“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. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

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. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that 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.”
As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 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 facedown on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” - portions of Isaiah 17:34-50 NIV

As I was contemplating what to share this morning, my heart was heavy for a close friend who’s wife is facing Goliath. And it’s heavy for another close friend whose grandson is facing a similar Goliath in his life.

And I can’t help to think how David victoriously faced Goliath. Fighting this overwhelming giant in the name of the Lord. Fighting and winning for His glory. Fighting and winning in His strength.

“For the battle is the Lord's”

As I think about and pray for friends, acquaintances and former coworkers who are facing job loss, life choices (some their own, some cast upon them), who are facing illnesses, who are facing tumors and surgeries, who are facing life struggles with children and parents alike, I am drawn to David facing Goliath. Drawn to His confidence in the Lord. Drawn to how he faced the giant with stone and sling and walked away victorious, his giant no more.

As we face our giants, as we face our fears and our concerns, as we face what life throws our way, let’s try to stand as David stood. Stand with strength and confidence in the Lord. I know that it is far more easier said than done, we can see that in the fear and trepidation of all the other warriors who heard and saw Goliath. But David stood strong. Strong in the Lord. An example of how we can and should face our Goliath.

That doesn’t mean that we shall not be afraid and nervous and concerned and frustrated, but Jesus Himself reminds us to “Fear not”. Reminds us that He is with us “even until the end of the age.”

And in lieu of sling and stone, we can face our giants with the power of the cross, with the power of prayer, with a multitude of prayer warriors, praying that God will work in and through the doctors ... praying for healing... praying that the issues, illnesses, tumors will all suddenly be non-issues and non-events, praying that God will reveal Himself and a miracle will be seen... praying that God will prepare for interviews and give words to say and actions to match those words... praying that The Lord will stand with, protect, and hold us in His mighty right hand. Praying that through it all, Jesus will somehow be glorified.

Knowing that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”
Remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

As you face your Goliath, give Jesus your burdens and your fears, concerns, issues, illnesses... Trust in Him and He can and will give you peace beyond understanding and confidence, courage and strength to face Goliath.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem