Slaying Goliath

POINTS OF TRUTH Christian Ministries

Crusade Church of God

www.pointsoftruth.com

The battle lines were drawn. Across a great valley, the army of the Lord faced their enemy, the Philistines. The mighty army of the Lord was in full battle array, shouting the war cry, and waiting anxiously for the sound of the trumpet! The Philistines had invaded Judah and were standing on holy ground defiantly challenging the God of Israel to do something about it!

It was a tense moment, adrenaline was rushing through the veins of each soldier. Hearts pounding, they were determined to defend the honor of their God and His chosen people.

Then suddenly a single Philistine warrior stepped forward onto the plain. He stood upwards to thirteen feet tall, wearing a two hundred pound breastplate, and holding a spear weighing about thirty pounds! He was the Philistine Champion of war. His name was GOLIATH, meaning “exiled, raging spirits!”

The hearts of the Israelites melted at the sight of Goliath, and they trembled in fear. For thirty-nine days Goliath had humiliated and demoralized the Lord’s Army. Each morning, the Israelites would summon up the courage to ready themselves for battle, only to shrink away in fright and disgrace.

But day forty would prove to be very different. Forty is the number of trial and testing. For thirty-nine days not one Israelite had overcome the trial and passed the test. For thirty-nine days Goliath had taunted the Living God and no one had answered his challenge.

But on the morning of the fortieth day, a young shepherd boy named David was delivering goods to his brothers who were soldiers in the Army of the Lord. He arrived in the camp as Goliath began his challenge and taunt. David was enraged and asked,- “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the Living God?!”

Twice each day Goliath had offered the challenge,- “Face me!” “Defend your God!”

For forty days not one had answered his challenge, they all trembled in fear before him.

This young shepherd boy was delivering goods to his brothers, he was not there for battle,. . .but David answered immediately! He had no doubts, he was convinced that his God was faithful.

Though not trained for warfare, David was courageous and anxious to face the challenge while trained soldiers cowered in fear and shame. David’s trust was in his God, not in his personal training or ability.

David sought permission from King Saul to answer the challenge, notice- “And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

SATAN TRIED TO PLANT SEEDS OF DOUBT

(1) ELIAB, David’s older brother: His anger burned against David saying,- “Why have you come down here?” “YOU ARE ONLY A SHEPHERD BOY, who is watching the flock?”

(2) KING SAUL: “You ARE NOT ABLE TO GO AGAINST THIS PHILISTINE.” “YOU ARE JUST A BOY, YOU ARE TOO YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED.” “GOLIATH HAS BEEN A WARRIOR SINCE HIS YOUTH.” “HE IS TRAINED AND HAS KILLED MANY MEN.” “HE IS A CHAMPION!”

(3) GOLIATH: “AM I A DOG THAT YOU COME TO ME WITH A STICK?” “I WILL FEED YOU TO THE BIRDS!”

Notice David’s answer in faith,- “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I COME TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, the GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD WILL DELIVER YOU UP INTO MY HANDS, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL, and that ALL THIS ASSEMBLY MAY KNOW THAT THE LORD DOES NOT DELIVER BY SWORD OR BY SPEAR; for the BATTLE IS THE LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.”

David was not shaken. He met Goliath’s challenge with a STONE. (Isaiah 44:8) He refused to approach the giant with the armor of men, but clothed himself with the spiritual armor of the Lord. Protected by the “Shield of Faith” (Ephesians 6) the Devil was unable to pierce him with his fiery darts of doubt and fear.

David knew that it was not the size or the might of the enemy, but the might and power of the Lord, to whom the battle belonged. . .David knew IT WAS NOT THE NEED, but WHO THE PROVIDER WAS. . .David knew IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, but WHO THE DELIVERER WAS. . .David knew IT WAS NOT THE SICKNESS, but WHO THE HEALER WAS. And he faithfully placed his faith in Him who is always faithful.