David And Goliath

Feature 2 –December 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

DAVID And Goliath

The story of David and Goliath (1 Sam. 17) is probably one of the most well known stories in the Bible and illustrates two main points for believers. First, we see the work of Christ as He triumphs over the enemy of God: Satan. Second, we discover how every born-again Christian can display victorious faith – conquering the enemy each time he attacks.

Set Apart
Victory begins with early preparation. Considering David, we see that he was prepared to face Goliath before the battle with him began. David had been anointed with oil, a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 Sam. 16:13). He was set apart, or sanctified, for this special service to God and His people. Likewise, the Lord Jesus was anointed for service by the Holy Spirit on the banks of the Jordan River when He was baptized by John. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, heaven opened and the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17 NKJV). We then read that He was “led up,” “driven out” and “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 4:1; Mk. 1:12; Lk. 4:1).

It is important to notice that the Spirit of God challenges us to be set apart in attitude and action before He directs us into a spiritual battle. We need to have a life that is set apart for God and we need to “be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10). Our relationships with other believers also need to be in order (4:25-5:2), for if they are not right we will never be able to win the skirmishes against the enemy. We need hearts and hands, mouths and motives set apart entirely for God – not giving place to the devil. Also, we are instructed to be filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18). What this means is that we are to be under His influence and power, controlled by Him. The way to accomplish this is to be S.E.T. apart: Separated to Christ, Engrossed in His Word and Teachable.

Sent
David was sent by his father to his brothers with life sustaining supplies (1 Sam. 17:17-18). We are reminded that God sent His only begotten Son into this world (Jn. 3:16-17). He has also sent us into the same world to bring a message of hope to the lost (Mt. 28:18-20).

David went willingly with a submissive spirit. The Son’s submission was evident when the Lord Jesus said at the age of 12, “Did you not know that I must to be about My Father’s business?” (Lk. 2:49). We read of this trait throughout His life (Jn. 4:34, 5:17,30, 6:38, 9:4; Mt. 26:39). If we are going to imitate our Lord we need to be willing to submit to His Word and each other before we are confronted in battle (Jas. 4:6-10; 1 Pet. 5:5-10).

Scorn
David’s brothers scorned him even before the battle began (1 Sam. 17:28). Likewise, the Lord Jesus “came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him” (Jn. 1:11). He was “despised and rejected” (Isa. 53:3). Scripture reminds us “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). The Lord Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (Jn. 15:20). We are told to bear “His reproach” (Heb. 13:13).

Strength
It is important to see that David was not discouraged while being scorned at this time. He was strengthened by faith and the past, God-given victories (1 Sam. 17:33-37,45,47). The Lord Jesus also met an enemy before the cross. Satan attacked Him in the wilderness with three temptations (Mt. 4:1-11), but the Lord gained the victory because He relied totally on God’s Word – quoting three times from the book of Deuteronomy. Looking at these temptations we see that Satan attacked the Lord in the same manner as he attacked Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and the same way he attacks believers today: through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15-17). But we can enjoy victory by imitating our Lord – through the Word of God.

Success
Our Lord set the example for us (1 Pet. 2:21-24). David was successful by faith in the living God – experiencing victory and reminding us through what he did that because of the ultimate victory won at Calvary, “I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).”

By Timothy P. Hadley