”As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a slingand a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.” 1 Samuel 17.48-51
Who would have guessed that Goliath would ever be defeated? As he taunted the Israelites for days and weeks, no one man would face him. That is until the boy David came along with a sling and five smooth stones.
David took a stone, slug it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. He knocked him out. The “stone sank into his forehead and he fell facedown on the ground.” Then David grabbed the sword of the Philistine, I’m not sure where Goliath’s armor bearer was at this time but maybe he ran off — and David “drew it from the sheath. AFter he killed him, he cut off his head…” This is not your children’s bedtime story.
David had complete victory that day and Goliath had complete defeat. David placed his hope in the Lord whereas Goliath in his own size, strength and weaponry.
Where do we place our hope? Is it in politics, financial security, job positions, friends or family? Our hope must not be misplaced like Goliath who lost his life on the very day he felt confident of victory. David placed his hope in the Lord and thus was victorious on that day in battle and completing a story we are reading and still gaining faith from today.
God wants us to place our hope in him. Admittedly, I struggle with placing my trust in God. I tend to run ahead, take control or assume authority when I need to submit to God’s authority. Sometimes I place hope in man-made, earth-bound objects that have no hope of saving me. Only Jesus is my sword and my shield, my defender and Savior for eternity.
Why not follow suite and put your hope in God? Ask him to calm your fears, secure your salvation and forgive your sins. Rely upon him for every move that you make so that you might find grace in every day that you live.
“O Lord God, the story of David and Goliath teaches us so many life lessons. I place my hope in your word. I thank you Lord for loving me and for helping me walk with obedience and love. Come now, Beautiful Savior, calm my fears and my anxiety. Help me know that you are good and that with you I can do all things. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen