“Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[9 feet 9 inches] 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[125 pounds]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[15 pounds) His shield bearerwent ahead of him.” 1 Samuel 17.1-7
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am facing giants. Giants to overcome in relationships, in calling and in life in general. Sometimes I can get down about this and think, “O my gosh, how can I ever over come this?” What if David was reading this passage today. David, who defeated Goliath, and won a great victory for Israel. But what if he read this Scripture before hand and knew what we know — Goliath was nine and a half feet tall, his coat of armor was the weight of a small man, and just the point on the end of his spear was fifteen pounds (trying throwing that across the battle field!)
I suspect that if David had read these details he would not have been phased. His hope was in the Lord, as is ours. It doesn’t depend on which earthly enemy we face — mental, physical or spiritual battles are no match for God. He is the overcomer of all that is good and holy.
David writes in the Psalms, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Did he write this before he faced Goliath? Probably not, but what if he did. What if young king-to-be David saw how Goliath and the Philistines affected the troops of the Lord, and he said, “The Lord is near to us, for we are the broken-hearted….and save us who have crushed spirits.” This is just speculation but it certainly could have been his response. He who penned these words once could have done so when facing a giant.
I don’t know what giant you are facing today. Maybe it is depression, despair, difficulty or disaster. But whatever you face, you have one who faces it with you. The Lord God Almighty stands with all who call upon his name. As David writes in Psalm 91.1-2, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,” let this be true of us today no matter the circumstance nor the situation.
God is with us and God is near. Thanks be to God.
“O Lord God, you are good. Even when we struggle, you are with us. Even when we are depressed, you are near. Come now, Holy Spirit and fill us with your power and love. Help us be all you have called and created us to be. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen