The remarkable biblical account of David and Goliath reads like a legend and teaches us applicable life lessons to face numerous giants in our own lives.
The Philistines stood on one side of the hill while the Israelites stood on the other, with a valley between them. Day after day, a giant Philistine warrior measuring about nine feet in height came out to defy the Israelite army and challenged anyone to dare come forth and take him on. The Israelites were terrified.
One day, David the young shepherd was doing what he always did – tending sheep – when he was sent on an errand by his father Jesse to deliver food to nourish his three older brothers who had been drafted into King Saul’s army. Upon arrival, David saw for himself the Philistine giant mocking the army of Israel, and his heart was stirred to go and fight against Goliath.
Despite the naysayers, David was emboldened all the more. “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him,” he said to the king. Eventually, David’s courage even won Saul’s support, who then gave his own armor and helmet for David to wear as protection. But David took them off, saying “I cannot go in these because I am not used to them.”
We all know the outcome of this story. With one shot, the young shepherd took down Goliath and instantly became a hero.
To say David defeated Goliath with only a sling and one of five smooth stones is a superficial conclusion. He had much more going for him. David had God on his side, and he knew it. The Lord displayed his mighty power through a shepherd boy and a humble sling. God works in mysterious ways, using what is weak in the world to shame the strong, and the foolish to shame the wise. (1Corinthians1:27)
Before David rushed toward the battle line, he made a powerful declaration: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
The full account, context and details of this story can be found in 1 Samuel 17.
An important biblical truth we can glean here is that victory is already determined before entering battle. Only when you are convinced of it yourself can you shout such a powerful decree. David didn’t fear the enemy; his confidence came from knowing God was on his side. It was this unwavering faith that empowered him to go toward the enemy. David’s protection and security didn’t come from Saul’s armor, but the Lord. Moreover, David’s determination to fight this match was not for personal gain, but to put to shame the one who defied God’s army, and for the Lord’s name to be lifted high and honored throughout the land.
Wouldn’t you go into battle confidently if you knew victory was pre-determined? David didn’t put his reliance upon numerous forms of security, but he trusted ONLY in the Lord.
We are called to be victors in Christ, and we too can declare victory over our fears and the forces trying to knock us down in our spiritual walk. Below are 12 Bible verses that reinforce this truth to help you gain daily victory in Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 20:4
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
Psalm 108:13
With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Hebrews 13:6
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Colossians 2:15
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
By Bible Portal Staff