Some time ago I read a book about
The classic story of David and Goliath was used as an example of this point.
We are told that Goliath was a giant and a champion by the world’s standards. The army of Israel could not find a champion who felt he was even somewhat equal to the mighty Goliath. No one would meet his challenge, until David. David was a youngest child, a shepherd, untrained in battle; but, when he came to the army’s camp he did not hesitate to volunteer himself for the battle with Goliath that would decide the fate of not only his own life, but that of his people.
Why was David so willing to stand up to Goliath? The simple answer would be faith, but that doesn’t really tell us what we need to know. The difference is subtle but clear in the scriptures.
The description of Goliath is lengthy, giving a very clear image of a well armored and very intimidating individual. The first mention of David is very brief. “And David was the youngest:” (1 Samuel 17:14)
When David asks why no one will fight Goliath the response is essentially: are you kidding?
“And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up?” (1 Samuel 17:24-25)
“And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying,… who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:26)
The answer to David’s faith is in his perspective. While the others were busy describing and standing in awe of this giant challenge in front of them, David was focused on what Goliath was missing. God.
That’s essentially what we each need to learn as our own Goliath’s call us out to battle. If we spend all of our time focused on the problem, we may forget to see the most important part- Faith in God. Many times keeping our focus on God is the only way we will defeat our own giants.
During times of trial the why is not as important as the how.
Questioning why something happened to us keeps our focus centered on ourselves: it’s self-defeating. We are spending all of our time complaining about the quality of the other guy’s armor and why we shouldn’t have to face him in battle.
Asking how you can best conquer the trial, and what you can learn from it, takes the focus off of us and puts it back on God.
“David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine….
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts,… for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:37, 45, 47)
The “how” empowers us to God’s will and path for us.
