Read: 1 Samuel 17
“David and Goliath” – the epic tale of a true underdog facing off against the greatest warrior of his time – the giant of the Philistines. Hollywood has yet to write a script that comes even close to being this good. From the unlikely hero found in a common shepherd boy to his inconceivable victory over Goliath – this story has everything from suspense, to intrigue, adventure, danger, and hope.
I learned early on in motherhood that this was one story I could not read to my boys before bed. As the lights were turned off and I tiptoed from the room, stones were being made from wadded up socks to fling in sling shots made of pillow cases. Everyone was David and as I marched back into the room and found myself pummeled by dirty sock-rocks – I discovered I was their Goliath. Something about this story inspired them. It called to the warrior inside of them to arise. And I can’t say I blame them. Because it calls to mine, too.
“I come in the name of the Living God (vs 45)!”
“…The God of the armies of Israel…you have defied (vs 45)!”
“This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (vs 46).”
David was fearless. When faced with my own giants, I want to be too. Messages I have listened to and commentaries I have read throughout my years of study have always led me to believe that David’s confidence came from a knowledge of who he was. Secure in his identity, he stood before Goliath unafraid. Yet, in this portion of scripture, David speaks nothing of who he is, but instead of WHOSE he is. This seems to be the source of David’s unbeatable courage.
Goliath had not defied Israel. He had defied the God of Israel. By threatening them, he had threatened Him. Nobody messes with the Father’s children. David knew this would not be tolerated. The victory that would be won in this battle, would not be won in David’s strength. David had full assurance that this battle was the Lord’s and He would give Goliath into David’s hands – not the other way around (vs 47).
In all of our confessions about who we are in Christ, we must also continue to boldly confess WHO OUR GOD IS and remember who it is that we call Father, Lord, and King. Grab ahold of this today. The revelation of who I am is deeply intertwined with the reality of WHOSE I am. Confessions such as, “I can do all things,” carry no possibility without joining them to this confession, “He is my source of strength (Philippians 4:13).” Declaring that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” means so much more when wrapped up within the revelation of WHOSE hands made me so wonderfully!
In 2 Samuel 22, David declared of the Lord that He was his rock, fortress, and stronghold; deliverer and salvation. He didn’t declare, “I am strong.” When faced with yet another enemy, David declared instead, “God is strong.” As he rested in this, David could confidently be who God had created him to be and continue his journey to the palace. Returning to the truth that had bolstered him for battle against Goliath, David sings, “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me (vs 18).” Knowing who God was and that he belonged to God was enough. In fact, it was everything.
· Read 2 Samuel 22 in it’s entirety. Make a list of all David says about God.
· Do you spend time focusing on who He is? What is one of your favorite truths about who God is?
· Do you walk confidently in the truth that you belong to Him? If so – how have you got to that place of assurance? If no – why do you think you don’t?
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