1 Samuel 17:40 says, And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. David had removed Saul's armor, and instead went to face Goliath with a five smooth stones he got out of a stream along the way and his sling. This wouldn't seem to be much armament against a well armed giant, but David was going by faith in God. We may seem ill armed to fight against the forces of Satan in the world today, but even if we are armed to the teeth, we had better be relying on God and not superior weapons. Give me God and a sling everytime over all the weapons in the world without Him. Verse forty-one adds, And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. Not only was Goliath armed, he had a shield bearer going before him, which would have freed his hands to be used in the battle. As tall as Goliath was, I have to wonder how the shield bearer was able to shield him completely and of course we know that he didn't shield Goliath'shead. As we engage in battle with the world today as Christians, we may find that they have people helping protect them, even by being shielded by the laws of man. Verse forty-two continues, And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. When Goliath saw David, he looked on him with disdain. Goliath and challenged the people of Israel for days to send their best man to face him, and now he saw a youth had been sent. What Goliath didn't.realize was that though he had no shield bearer, David was not alone. He had God on his side to protect Him, and as followers of Christ, we always have the Holy Spirit with us to keep us safe forever, no matter what happens in this world. Even if we were to lose the battle, we have already won the war. Verse forty-three states, And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. Goliath asked David if he thought he was no more powerful than a dog that David would come at him with staves. Goliath was full of self-pride, and because of that, he cursed David in the name of his gods. People still look down on Christians today and curse them in the name of their gods, which is anything that they consider to be more powerful than God. Verse forty-four adds, And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Goliath then told David to come to him, and he would not only kill him, but he would scatter his body for the birds and the beast to feed on. People always have been willing to overlook the power of Christians who are acting under God's power and authority. Of course, being a Christian in name only will leave us cowering as the rest of the people of Israel were doing. They will also be willing to let us go fight the battle, even if they don't think we stand much of a chance of winning. Verse forty-five declares, Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. David openly declared the source of His power, and that was the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel Whom Goliath had defied. Of course, at this point the armies of Israel were not acting as though they believed in the power of God themselves. We cannot allow people to insult God even if we stand alone against overwhelming odds if we are truly a follower of Christ. David said Goliath might be better armed to fight, but that he was armed with something more important, and that was faith in God. We need to realize this today as well. We have the only God there is on our side. Verse forty-six adds,This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Though it might seem that David was bragging as Goliath had been, there was one main difference. David didn't say that he was going to slay Goliath, but that God would deliver him into David's hand, and then he would kill him. Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who put their faith in Him have already been given victory over all the powers of the world. We simply need to be like David and act on our faith. Verse forty-seven continues, And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands. David had said that when, not if, he defeated Goliath that the world would know that there is a God in Israel, and now he continues by saying that God does not save by the sword and spear, but by faith in His power. We may profess to know that God is all powerful and that He has already defeated sin and death, but if we are unwilling to put our faith in Him, we will never truly know this. David could have said that he knew God was going to give him the victory, but then refused to face Goliath. We must be willing to face our giants head on if we are to be victorious for God, and if we do, we must then make sure that we give God the glory.
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