January 11: God empowers

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

In seeing applications for David’s experiences as they apply to us, we remember the valuable insight recorded in 1 Corinthians 10:11a, "Now these things happened unto them as examples," a reference to the freeing of Israel as God cleared the way through the sea. While we are careful to maintain the actual history given in the Bible, it draws parallels for spiritual enrichment. I take that approach in David’s encounter with Goliath.

• For God’s power to work through His servants, they must possess the right motive (vv. 4, 8-11). David showed his spiritual maturity when Goliath challenged the armies of Israel to send a soldier to meet him in combat, winner take all. Standing more than nine feet tall, he was an imposing figure, armed with a seventeen pound javelin and covered with a coat of mail. King Saul promised great riches, marriage to one of his daughters and freeing the family of all taxes (v. 26) to any soldier who would defeat Goliath. David realized the only worthy goal was to glorify the name of the God of Israel, not to gain personal honor.

• God’s power also works through the right person (vv. 32, 37). David’s chiding of the soldiers for their lack of faith angered his brothers when they heard about his boastful speaking (v. 28). The stir caused by David eventually was brought to Saul’s attention, who then summoned the lad (v. 31). David calmed the king’s uneasiness with a personal testimony of God’s power through him in subduing both a lion and bear that attacked his sheep. David convinced Saul of God’s sufficiency in confronting Goliath.

• David’s act illustrates another spiritual principle, that God’s power works through believers when they employ the right weapons (vv. 38-40). King Saul’s intentions were good. As the ruling monarch he was entitled to the best weapons in the realm. He placed his war outfit on David, covered his head with a helmet of brass, and clothed him with a flexible body armor made of overlapping scales.

A few steps in the king’s armor was enough to convince David he was armed with the wrong battle gear. Swords and shields stood no chance against the superior equipment of Goliath. Stripping off Saul’s armor, he retrieved his staff, picked up five smooth stones out of the brook, and advanced toward Goliath for the confrontation.

Useless ink has ben used in speculating why David chose five stones rather than one. Since the Bible does not say why he did, any guess we can suggest is nothing more than a guess. One principle stands out, however, namely, the weapons we employ against any evil adversary have to be appropriate for the encounter. In our continuing struggle against demonic opposition, guns and tanks are useless. They do not possess human bodies (Eph. 6:12). When believers are securely arrayed in God’s body armor (6:14-18), the only effective assault is launched on one’s knees in prayer. David understood the faith-principle of trusting God for the victory.

• In summary, God empowers those who adopt the right attitude (vv. 45-50). A general who believes he cannot win in a particular battle probably will not. Churches which are torn by dissension and negativism are whipped before it starts. Believers who walk by sight and not by faith are slated for failure. David defied Goliath and chided him for placing his faith in a sword and spear. David trusted in the name of the God of Israel. The outcome of the fray would exalt the name of the Lord of Hosts, the true General of all armies.