Dear brothers and sisters,
Thank you for joining us for today’s devotion. We will look at the story of David and Goliath. Let me first explain that the real hero in this story is God and the Goliath represents the challenges and struggles we face in life. Sometimes the challenges and struggles we face can appear to be so formidable to us, just like a “Goliath”. But God will give us the victory through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In 1 Samuel 17 is the record of the epic duel between David and Goliath. Some people entertain the thought that Goliath was a stationary target who was slow, that resulted in him being knock over by a stone from David’s sling. Nothing can be further from the truth. From the biblical account, Goliath was an equivalent of a human super tank. He was a reigning champion in the Philistines’ army. It would take a miracle for a shepherd boy who had not even gone through Basic Military Training to challenge him and not get killed while trying.
In preparation, David went to a stream to choose 5 smooth stones. That day in history a shepherd boy won the victory over Goliath with 5 stones and sling.
Let me give you my suggestions of the spiritual meaning of the 5 stones of David. One day, when you are confronted with your own Goliath, remember to have these 5 stones to defeat him.
The five stones of David are:
1) Don’t listen to negative voices (v.28)
David’s elder brother Eliab criticized him and told him to go back to look after the sheep that he was responsible for.
There will be “Eliab”s around you who sow doubts into your mind and to discourage you from doing what God has called you to do. You need to stand firm and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.
2) Recall past miracles of God (v.34-37)
David recalled the past deliverance of the Lord. When a lion and a bear came to attack his sheep, on both occasions the Lord delivered the lion and the bear into his hands. He had the faith God will again deliver the Philistine giant to him.
When a Goliath appears to you, you must recall the past miracles God has done for you. Likewise, He will deliver you again.
3) Be sure of your Identity in Christ (v 38 - 40)
Saul wanted David to use his armor and weapons. David declined and went to confront Goliath with the weapons which he was accustomed to.
Be confident of your identity in Christ Jesus and use the spiritual gifts that God has given you. When God calls you, he will also equip you.
Heb 13:21 tells us that God will equip you for the work that He has called you to do.
4) Use the Name of the Lord (v.45)
In verse 45, David said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.”
Jesus has won the victory 2000 years ago, when he died, rose from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the throne of God. When we use His name, we enforce His authority on earth in that situation. In His name, we can pray for the sick, drive out demons and set the captives free.
Jesus promises that when we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we can ask anything in His name, and He will do it (Jn 15:7).
5) Bold and Courageous (v. 48 – 50)
Because David was confident that the Lord had given him the victory, he ran towards Goliath. With one well-placed shot to the head, Goliath fell face down. And David took Goliath’s sword to kill him, hence winning won a resounding victory for the whole of Israel.
A. B. Simpson said, “One of the special marks of the Holy Ghost in the Apostolic Church was the spirit of boldness.”.
In the book of Acts, Peter exhibited the boldness of the Holy Spirit when he proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. It was the same place where His master was arrested and crucified just a few weeks ago.
We must also receive the boldness of the Holy Spirit through spending time in prayer to the Lord.
Testimony
I will like to share a testimony when God gave me victory over my Goliath. Due to a sport injury in 2011, I tore and ruptured my right Achilles’ heel tendon into two. I didn’t think much of it because I thought it was a simple ham string injury. I was almost a cripple and was limping for more than a year. Initially, I experienced tremendous pain on only one leg. However, after an extended period, I suffered pain over my entire lower body and my back as well. In the 14th month after my injury, I went to the Changi General Hospital and found out that my Achilles’ heel tendon had been ruptured. The senior specialist at the hospital passed a life sentence on me that I would never recover. He said that I went to hospital too late. I decided that I would not go for any surgery but to pray for God’s miracle. Through a series of prayers, my Achilles’ heel tendon began to form and strengthen surely but gradually. Now my legs have fully recovered and are strong. This year, I am able to run around the Bedok Reservoir tracks and also climb the Bukit Timah hill on a regular basis. Praise the Lord!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us be strong and courageous in the Lord. He has promised to be with you always and will give you victory over your Goliaths.
