LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for July 11: The power of courage

A recent survey asked professing Christians to try and recall the first Bible story they remembered hearing when they were children. The story of David and Goliath was the overwhelming No. 1 response. The story is by no means a children’s story. It is a blueprint for every believer to use when having to face life issues that appear to be too big to defeat.

Courage diminished (1 Samuel 17:8-11)

The armies of Israel were engaged in an ongoing battle with the Philistines. When the two armies prepared for battle near Socoh, the Philistines introduce a new weapon, a nine-foot-tall giant named Goliath (v. 4). Goliath engaged in psychological warfare. He would appear before the armies of Israel alone, save for a shield bearer, and taunt them. He belittled the warriors of Israel and their king, Saul (v. 9). Simply by observation and the echo of Goliath’s voice, both Saul and the armies of Israel cowered in fear (v. 11).

Israel’s response to Goliath is a bit perplexing. As the covenant people of God, the Israelites should have been able to recall the numerous times God had delivered them from impossible circumstances and in so doing discovered courage. Saul’s response is equally strange. As the king of Israel, he should have sought instruction from God and with his strength model a proper response for his constituents.

Whether Saul and the armies of Israel or a believer in modern-day America, there will come a battle against a foe too large to be defeated. If these “giants” are to be defeated and victory discovered, the recollection of God’s power displayed in the past and his generous provisions for the day must flood the mind and heart.

Courage discovered (1 Samuel 17:32-39)

Into the confusion and fear of the camp of Israel walks David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons. David had not come as a soldier but as a delivery boy (vv. 7-10). While he is there, he overhears Goliath’s daily boasts.

David is not overcome with the same fear as the others. In fact David was alarmed the armies of God would allow such behavior to go unchallenged (v. 26). David then volunteers to go and face the Philistine giant (v. 32).

The confidence David displayed came from his memories of God’s work in his life in the past, an exercise forgotten by the other men of Israel. He recalled fighting with both a lion and a bear as he kept watch over Jesse’s flock (vv. 34-37). David understood the  events of his past were preparation for today.

At this point, the scene almost becomes comical. Saul, perhaps out of his guilt, agrees to allow David to go and do battle with Goliath. Yet, not even Saul was willing to send into battle a boy without the equipment of battle. So Saul has David put on the king’s battle garb (vv. 38-39). He must have appeared like a child who had been playing dress up in Mom or Dad’s clothes. Realizing he cannot fight in Saul’s gear, David takes it off, opting instead for his more familiar battle instruments, a slingshot and some river stones (v. 40)

There is much to learn from David’s courage. As previously stated, confidence comes from  assurance that the same God who had done marvelous and mighty deeds in the past stood ready to once again provide victory. David never doubted God’s ability to use a boy for his glory. He also knew he could not rely on the experience of another when fighting his giant. Those same principles have endured the test of time. The same God who used David to slay the giant of Israel stands ready to grant victory to his child today.

Courage displayed (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

Everyone remembers the outcome of this great Bible story. Perhaps forgotten is the courage David displayed. He did not wait for Goliath to come to him for battle, he ran toward the giant to initiate the battle (v. 48). David took one of those river rocks, placed it in his sling and with a single shot brought Goliath to the ground. The victorious David then used Goliath’s own sword to cut off the giant’s head (vv. 49-51). Some regard David’s decapitation of Goliath as extreme. Clearly David understood the importance of completely destroying this giant. Wounded giants are very dangerous.

Most view David’s actions as a demonstration of the miraculous. David would not have seen it that way. He knew before going into battle he would be victorious. How? David realized the battle was not his to win or lose. When David confronted Goliath he told the giant he would be defeated because, “the battle belongs to the Lord” (v. 47).

Conclusion

Giants still taunt the people of God. When confronted with circumstances of monumental proportions, God’s people must remember how God has provided in the past  and recognize those past experiences were preparation for today’s battle. And, the people of God must remember that in their own strength there is no way to defeat giants so they can, like David recognize, “the battle belongs to the Lord.” The same God who granted David victory over Goliath anxiously waits to give victory to his children today.