The Story of David and Goliath is one of everyone’s favorite. I Samuel Chapter 17 contains the exciting account of David’s battle with the Philistine Giant Goliath. While some of the more fantastic stories of the Bible calls us to stretch our imagination and/or our credibility, the events described in the story of David and Goliath are easy to believe. Most of us have seen cinematic portrayals of big battles. The movie Braveheart comes to mind. Mel Gibson and all his host on one side and the British on the other. It seems that form of warfare was common for centuries. This encounter was between the army of Israel under king Saul on one side of the battlefield and the Philistines on the other side.
The two armies seem to be at an impasse with neither one having advantage. However, the Philistines had a psychological advantage in the giant Goliath. Each day he would walk out into the no man’s land between the two armies been taunt the Israelites. “Let us settle this battle with a fight of champions.” He challenged.
There was no one brave enough or foolish enough to try. The Message translation gives us a clear idea of the challenge. Eugene Peterson says Goliath was 10 feet tall. His armor weighed 126 pounds. His spear was “like a fence rail”and the tip all be weighed over 15 pound. David by contrast was an untrained youth with no armor and only 5 stones for ammunition.
Although such Giants are rare they are not unknown. Perhaps the most famous and well-known modern giant was Andre the Giant. He was a famous wrestler and also starred in a few movies. His role as Fezzik in The Princess Bride brought him to my attention. He was 7’4” and 520 lbs. a formidable foe! But not the tallest Giant known The Guinness book of records gives that title to Robert Wadlow who was 8’ 11”. Thus giving room for just a little exaggeration it is easy to believe that Goliath was 10’ tall.
I have another other reason to believe in giants. Back in about 2002 we were on vacation in East Texas. One day we stopped for a few groceries at Brookshires. The bag boy is what I remember. This young fellow was about 17. I’m 6’2”. He was head and shoulders taller. However, the amazing thing was the size of his feet! I couldn’t help myself. Curiosity got the better of me. I asked, “Son, what size are the sneakers?” He politely answered, “They’re size 26 sir.” I think if he grew into those feet he’s is walking around today pushing at least 8 ft!
What can we believe about David and his sling? In 1983 I had every pastor’s dream come true with a two-week trip to the Holy Land. One day we were visiting the traditional sight of Lazarus’ tomb. Presumably the tomb where he was buried when he died the second time. As we were waiting outside a young boy, perhaps the age of David in our story, came to sell us souvenirs. He was selling slings. Like any good salesman he demonstrated his ware. He picked up a stone from the roadside. Plopped it into the pouch of the sling and began twirling it over his head. When he had our full attention he let it fly. Clunk went the telephone pole a good 50 yards away. I knew in that moment that Goliath never had a chance!
It’s a great story and for me it rings true. You might say, “Right on target!” However, as a pastor and preacher I have to ask, “What can we learn from these events?”
Don’t let your “adversary” define the battle.
Think outside the box.
Apply the skills you already know
Trust in the Lord
King Saul almost led David astray. He accepted David’s offer to fight the giant. Then since David was without armor or sword, he lent him is own. It must have been a comical sight. There was David wearing amor two or more sizes two big, trying to wield a weapon he knew not how to use. Dressed like that Goliath would have killed him in less that a minute.
With the zeal of youth and confidence born of practice and experience, David discarded the sword and armor. Imagine the young David sitting all day on a hillside with nothing else to do but practice with his sling. Think of all the NBA wannabes practicing their dribbling, and three point shots hour after hour. It was the same for David. He knew his skill and what he could do with it. Moreover, he had used that skill to protect his sheep from predators large and small.
I am writing this near the Forth of July and my thoughts turn to the Revolutionary War of the Colonial Militias against the superior fighting force of the British Army. I remember Sunday nights in my childhood watching the adventures of Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox on The Wonderful World of Disney. Marion and his men fought a “Gorilla” style campaign against the “Goliath” of the Red Coats.
Our “Goliaths” might not be a person or an army. Coincidently there is a new TV series named GOLIATH. In the first season the Goliath is a huge law firm and David is a broken down drunk of a has been lawyer. Our adversaries might be storms, or political systems. The fight to end slavery in England was led mostly by one man, William Wilberforce.
When it comes to taking on Goliath we need to Think Outside the Box. David would not let himself be boxed in with Saul’s amor. I am a chess player. Not a great one, but better than your average pickup player. When I play I try to remember two things. Sit on my hands. It keeps me from moving too quickly. There is always another move. Of course if you opponent says “Checkmate” the only move left is to topple your king. However, up to that point it is important to weigh all the options and do ones best to do the unexpected! The last thing Goliath expected was that David might be a dangerous adversary!
There is no better example of applying the skills you know than Coach McCartney of The Promise Keepers. For a couple of decades this Men’s Ministry was highly successful in spreading the Gospel in football stadiums and other large venues around the country. The high point was a gathering of over a million men in Washington D.C. I was privileged to attend that gathering and several others where coach was one of the main speakers. Every talk made each man in that 50,000 to a Million crowd feel like he was on coaches team. It was halftime and the pep talk was perfect to get us going back into the game of life!
Trust is another way of expressing Faith. Faith is not just believing God exists. Faith is Trusting God is in control. If He has called to the battle He will help us defeat the foe. When I experienced a dramatic conversion and call to ministry I was teaching in a private school for a meager salary with only a handful of possessions. I knew that seminary graduate school was going to be very expensive. Part of the schools financial policy was for each student to use one third of their savings for each of the three years of seminary. I had all of $500 in the bank! I told the Lord if He was foolish enough to call an atheist to be a priest that I figured He knew how I would be able to pay for it!
It is often said that the Bible has all the answers we need. Frankly I am not so sure. However, I know it has all the questions. So who is your Goliath?