Overcoming Our Goliaths

Overcoming Our Goliaths

“David said ... ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.’” 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV

Are there any Goliaths in your life? Any obstacles that appear too big, too powerful and too threatening to overcome? Maybe we can learn something about overcoming our Goliaths from a shepherd boy named David.

In preparing to overcome Goliath, David took four important steps. First, he clearly identified the threat. This wasn’t hard, since Goliath was over nine feet tall and protected by heavy armor and a huge spear. Second, he assessed his own strength. David knew he’d never defeat the giant in hand-to-hand combat. He needed the Lord’s help: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Saul offered his armor and sword which were of the highest quality, but David “was not used to them.” He had to trust the resources that had served him well before – his staff, sling, stones, and Savior: “The Lord ... will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Third, David remembered his past victories over a lion and a bear, and said, “This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them.” Finally, he went into battle with confidence based on what the Lord had already done for him. While everyone else was running scared, “David ran quickly ... to meet the Philistine.” He could have run away, saying, “He’s too big! He’ll kill me!” Instead, he confronted his giant obstacle head-on with Paul’s attitude: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

The Lord helped David, and can also help you defeat your Goliaths if you take the same steps he did: identify the threat; assess our strength; remember past victories; and go forth, confident in Him. This month’s Features will help you do this.

By Larry Ondrejack