1 Samuel 17:41-47
41 Then the Philistine came and approached David, with
the shield-bearer in front of him.
42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he was contemptuous of him; for he was only a youth, and reddish, with a handsome appearance.
43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals.”
45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a saber, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you and remove your head from you. Then I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
47 and that this entire assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will hand you over to us!”
In the Name of the Lord of Hosts
Goliath’s overconfidence
Let’s examine the attitudes of David and Goliath as they prepare for battle. (1) Goliath looked down on David because he was only a youth (meaning he was an amateur, not a professional soldier) and reddish with a handsome appearance (meaning he had a reddish face without any battle scars). (2) Goliath insulted David, saying that he was not someone who could be easily defeated with a stick, like a dog. (3) Furthermore, Goliath cursed David in the name of the gods of the Philistines. In ancient times, wars were often perceived as battles between the guardian gods of different nations, so it was no surprise in Goliath’s action. (4) Goliath, confident of his victory, taunted David, saying, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals.” In Goliath’s words and behavior is his arrogance and overconfidence. Those who overestimate their own strength often dig their own graves. There are many examples in the world where people fail due to their overconfidence. Are you prepared for critical moments? Do you have any overconfidence within you?
David’s conviction
The verbal battle between Goliath and David continued. David, comparing himself to Goliath, spoke the following: (1) Goliath was armed with a sword, a spear, and a saber for the battle. (2) David, on the other hand, will fight in the name of the Lord of Hosts, whom Goliath had defied.
(3) The Lord would hand him victory over Goliath. Goliath’s body would become food for the birds of the sky and the wild animals. As a result, all the nations will realize that with Israel is the true God. (4) He does not rely on swords or spears, but on “the name of the Lord of Hosts.” Let’s focus on David’s faith. He boasted his own humble appearance or poor weapons, for the glory of the Lord to be revealed through them. David also recognized that this battle was “the Lord’s battle.” In other words, he understood that this battle was a battle between the idols of the Philistines and the God of Israel. Those who trust in God and engage in battles for truth will surely have victory. Let us also boast in our weaknesses, so the power of Christ may cover us.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please protect me from overconfidence and transform me into one who trusts in You alone. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.