1 Samuel 16:21 Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke…24 All the Israelites, when they saw the man, fled from him and were very much afraid. 

Goliath, the Philistine, came out talking trash to the Israelites, who were “very much afraid”. As you likely know, Goliath was enormous in size. In an era when all fighting was hand-to-hand, the prospect of taking on Goliath was indeed daunting. It appeared to be a suicide mission.

But David saw it differently.

David understood Goliath to be challenging, not the warriors of Israel, but the God of Israel. As he said in v.26 “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David’s confidence to accept Goliath’s challenge was not rooted in his own strength or size, but in his identity as one of the people of God. And, of course, David prevailed in the battle with Goliath.

It’s a simple idea really. Trust in the Lord, not in oneself. I know this as an important principle of faith, but so often I depend on my own strength to get me through. The Lord clearly has more work to do in me. But today I’m reflecting on David – a young teenager who demonstrated faith when his own King Saul and the entire army of Israel were hiding in fear. And God rewarded his faith with favor and victory.

Lord give me faith this day. Help me to lean into you in things large and small. Amen.