Now, the story we know so well. David is up for fighting Goliath and Saul has given the go-ahead.

“Go, and the Lord be with you.” I Samuel 17:37b

We can picture young—and not so tall—David putting on six-foot-plus Saul’s armor. Perhaps the helmet partially covers David’s face. The armor hangs heavy, down to his knees instead of below his waist. He walks around in this clunky adornment and feels cumbersome and weighted down. 

David does away with these unfamiliar garments, finds five smooth stones, puts them in his shepherd’s bag, and grabs his staff. He’s ready to go.

But I wonder, did David actually take a good look at this giant of a man? From my five-foot vantage point, our 6′ 5″ pastor feels something close to a giant. But add about three more feet to that and we’re talking truly a giant! Yes, Goliath proportions. 

Goliath wore a bronze helmet and a 125-pound coat of armor, bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung over his back. He carried a giant spear with a 15-pound iron point (just the point!) 

When Goliath saw David coming, he was insulted and used the gutsy language of an uncouth soldier.

“Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” I Samuel 17:43-44

David doesn’t show any signs of backing down.

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I will strike you down. I Samuel 17:45-46

Such faith as David draws closer to the giant. I must give the whole story though. Unlike your 2nd grade Sunday School teacher’s version, I must remind you that David also said he would cut off Goliath’s head and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the beasts. Bold talk from this young shepherd boy!

So, David reaches in his bag for the first of his five stones. One is all it takes. While on the run, he swings his sling with power and accurately aims toward the one small, vulnerable spot left on the heavily-clad giant—his forehead. With his practiced marksmanship, David sinks the stone  deep in Goliath’s head and brings him to the ground.

Consider a giant in your life. It could be an antagonistic person, or maybe an un-reached goal, a terrible disease, or a problem with no foreseeable solution. Satan adorns and magnifies the giant and the giant tries to beat you down. Can you stand firm with David and say, “What is this giant that he (or it) should defy the power of God?” Is it possible that He has a solution as small as a stone?

Let us overcome the fear and walk by faith and not by sight.

~ Joyce ~