Facing Our Giants: Lessons from David and Goliath
Based on the October 27, 2024 message by Dr. Jesse Long
Have you ever felt like you're facing an insurmountable challenge? A problem so big it seems impossible to overcome? We all have our "Goliaths" in life, but the story of David and Goliath teaches us that with faith and courage, we can face even the most daunting obstacles.
The Historical Context
Let's start by setting the scene. Recent archaeological discoveries have shed new light on this famous Biblical story. Excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, overlooking the Elah Valley where the battle took place, have uncovered fascinating details that align with the Biblical account.
Recent excavations have exposed a small fort. The circumference of this circular fort is 765 yards. You can actually see where the remains of the two gates at Qeiyafa. One on the west and the other on the south. It is really unusual to have two gates, especially for a site of this size.
This site, possibly the Biblical Shaaraim mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:52, gives us a tangible connection to the world of David and Goliath. It helps us visualize the landscape where this epic confrontation occurred. This was quite likely where the camp of King Saul was located.
David: A Man After God's Own Heart
What made David special? Why did God choose him to replace Saul as king? The answer lies not in David's outward appearance, but in his heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7, we read, "The Lord sees not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
David's heart is revealed through his actions and words in the face of Goliath's challenge. While Saul and the Israelite army were "dismayed and greatly afraid" (1 Samuel 17:11), David saw the situation differently.
"Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David asked (1 Samuel 17:26). For David, Goliath wasn't just insulting Israel's army; he was shaming the God of Israel. This perspective reveals David's deep faith and his zeal for God's honor.
David's Courage and Faith
David's confidence didn't come from his own abilities, but from his trust in God. He declared to Saul, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37).
When confronting Goliath, David's words reveal the source of his courage: "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with 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 defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).
Lessons for Today
What can we learn from David's example? How can we face our own "Goliaths" with similar faith and courage?
**Recognize the real battle**: David saw beyond the physical threat to the spiritual implications. In our lives, we need to discern the deeper issues behind our challenges.
**Trust in God's power**: David's confidence came from his past experiences of God's faithfulness. We, too, can draw strength from remembering how God has helped us in the past.
**Stand up for God's honor**: David was motivated by a desire to defend God's name. In our increasingly secular culture, we're called to stand for God's truth and honor.
**Use the gifts God has given you**: David didn't try to fight like Saul or Goliath. He used the skills he had developed as a shepherd. God has uniquely gifted each of us to serve Him.
Putting It Into Practice
Standing for God's honor doesn't always mean dramatic confrontations. More often, it involves daily choices to live ethically and morally in a way that reflects God's character. As Dr. Long mentioned in his sermon, "More often, it's the daily walk of living ethical, moral, honest lives that reflect the God we serve."
Sometimes, it might involve bold actions, like ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky leading a live prayer on national television. Other times, it might mean making significant life choices, like Holly Cook Hofner and her husband Cody, who chose to serve as missionaries in Turkey rather than pursuing graduate studies.
For most of us, honoring God looks more like the "7,000 in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal" (1 Kings 19:18). It's about consistent faithfulness in our daily lives, our workplaces, our families, and our communities.
Remember, "God doesn't always thunder." He often works through ordinary people like us who are committed to honoring Him with our whole selves. And who knows? With hearts dedicated to God, He might just do something through us that others thought impossible.
As we face our own challenges, let's take courage from David's example. Let's trust in God's power, stand for His honor, and use the gifts He's given us. In doing so, we might find that no giant is too big to overcome when we face it in the name of the Lord.