“Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” – 1 Samuel 17:46-47
If only the king of Israel, in all his regal splendor and power, had just an ounce of the same unwavering faith and confidence in the Lord that David had. He showed immense courage and trust in God’s providence, even when faced with what appeared to human eyes to be nothing short of a suicide mission.
But David never once entertained the thought of losing this battle, because ultimately he knew the battle wasn’t only his to begin with.
From his humble beginnings, David grew to become a man after God’s own heart. He boldly faced Goliath, the towering Philistine giant, armed with nothing but a slingshot and sheer faith. Against all odds, David’s stone found its mark and brought down the seemingly invincible foe. It was in this triumphant moment that David’s faith in the Lord was solidified, as he recognized that the battles he fought were not his alone, but the Lord’s.
Throughout his life, David encountered numerous trials and tribulations. Not long after he slayed Goliath, he would be hunted down by the jealous King Saul, who saw David as a threat to his throne. Yet even in the darkest of times, David turned to the Lord for guidance and protection. He sought refuge in the wilderness, penned psalms of lament and praise, and found solace in the knowledge that God was with him every step of the way.
One of those psalms David wrote was while he was fleeing from Saul and hiding out in a cave. Below is a brief excerpt from Psalm 57.
1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. 3He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
David’s faith was not without its flaws, as he too stumbled and fell into sin. His infamous affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent plot against her husband Uriah serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of giving in to temptation. However, even in his moments of weakness and repentance, David sought forgiveness and redemption from the Lord, acknowledging his wrongdoings and striving to realign his life with God’s will.
It is this unwavering faith, humility, and reliance on God that set David apart. His story serves as an inspiration to believers of all generations, reminding us of the infinite importance of faith in God’s power as we ourselves face adversity. Whether we find ourselves in the wilderness of life’s challenges or on the battlefield of personal struggles, David’s example encourages us to place our trust in the Lord and seek His guidance.
One can only imagine the thoughts running through King Saul’s mind that afternoon when David appeared before him with the severed head of the giant. I have to imagine that a moment of clarity had to dawn on him: “I’m looking at a young boy half my size, but twice the man that I’ll ever be.”
Father, we thank you for reminding us yet again of your love and strength. You alone, Lord, are sovereign and mighty. With just one word, you cause the earth to shake and mountains to move. No man can stand against you, Lord. And yet you are merciful to your people, O God. You give us rest and protection under your mighty wings. You send help from heaven to guide and protect us, Lord. You disgrace those who hound us. You will send forth your unfailing love and faithfulness as we continue to seek your purpose you have for us. We praise you this day our Mighty King, the Keeper of all things. Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 