by Mako Kato
Read 1 Samuel 17:34-37, 45-47
Another well-loved story that comes to mind when I think of God’s deliverance is the story of David and Goliath. Even though you’ve probably heard this story before, please take a look at these passages before you keep reading.
David trusted God to deliver Him from Goliath and God delivered David. In today’s culture we often think of David and Goliath as a story of how the underdog can succeed with smarts and grit (Rocky version 1000 B.C.). Looking at the passage, it’s not that at all. The Lord is the one who delivered David from the lion and the bear, and the Lord delivered David from Goliath.
God used the weak to shame the strong. He didn’t have King Saul fight one on one with the sword. He used David, a young man, to fight against someone who had defied the name of God. He gave David the victory.
God chooses to lift up the small things of the world. God could have found a giant to fight on the Israelites side against Goliath, but He didn’t. He used a willing vessel to display his glory. (And made it more obvious that He was the one at work.)
In Hannah’s prayer of praise after Samuel’s birth, she says of God, “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9)
Goliath thought it was by his might that he would prevail. David knew that it was not by his might that he would win, but God’s might. David said that Goliath would be delivered into his hand and the Philistines would be defeated, “that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (v. 17:46 ESV) Ultimately, this battle was meant to display God’s glory.
We may face hard things. We may feel unqualified to take on a challenge. In the end, God can deliver us from those things. When you face the giants in your life, remember how God used David… Think of how God can work through you. You might be weak, but then it’ll just be more obvious that God is the one doing it all.