David and Goliath

The story of David and Goliath is part of the history of redemption, therefore we can relate to it. It also points forward to the Son of David, who is our Saviour. It was a crisis in Israel's history. Defeating Goliath was humanly impossible. Notice how Goliath defined the situation - no reference to God and calling Israel 'servants of Saul', a demeaning description that was bound to discourage. David, on the other hand, described Israel as 'the armies of the living God'. How do you define yourself? According to the Bible, or in deference to the father of lies? The rescuer was God's provision. His insignificance meant he depended completely on God's strength and faithfulness. His family and the king rejected him, but God was with him. He was a man of faith and faithfulness, who trusted in God's covenant and could not bear to see his people's sorrow or the contempt shown to God. In all this David was like his greater Son, who came in love to God and his people, who was crucified in weakness but raised in power. Who are our Goliaths? Do we believe what the enemy tells us? How cruel he is, promising freedom then telling us there is no hope. If we are helpless in sin we have a mighty saviour. In the church's troubles we can pray, 'Come, Holy Spirit'. And against the forces of secularism we raise the banner of the King of Kings.