The Fight: Round 3

by Tim Howard

One of the greatest fights recorded in scripture is about a man named Goliath and a boy named David. Here’s the Biblical record.

“A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor—126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail—the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds… Goliath called out to the Israelite troops, "Why bother using your whole army… pick your best fighter and pit him against me.” … Hearing the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.” MSG 1 Samuel 17.

You may be asking: How could anyone stand up against someone like that and win? Evidently others were wondering the same thing, because no one dared to accept his challenge except a boy named David.

David told the King he was prepared to do battle with this Giant even though he was small in stature. God was with him! He would use weapons, which included 5 stones and a sling. Here’s what the record says: “David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt. That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone.” MSG

A better question might be: How does a much larger man, a much stronger man and soldier with much more training in warfare fail to win this battle?

Let me give you three reasons:

1. Goliath overestimated his own strength and underestimated God’s strength. David didn’t! His confidence wasn’t in his own abilities but in the promises and power of God. David didn’t lean on his own understanding. He fulfilled Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight…” NIV

2. Goliath devalued, disrespected and disdained David because he was small. David, however, used five small stones to do the impossible. If you are going to win the fight against your giants, you’ve got to know that every little bit helps. It’s the little things that are important and it’s the little things that add up to a lot. Rick Warren said: “One snowflake can’t do much but if you get enough of them, you can stop traffic.” Don’t look down on the little things of life. If you do you will lose the battle.

3. Goliath didn’t take into account his weakness. Even though his armor almost totally covered his body, he was still vulnerable. Pride can blind you to your weaknesses. David walked in humility and it proved to be the key to his victory. Humility is a powerful weapon. James said it best: “God gives us more and more strength to stand against…evil…. God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.” St Paul puts it this way: 2 Corinthians12:9  “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” 

What giants are you facing and fighting today?

Don’t depend upon your own abilities but trust in God. Don’t wait for the 15^th round, hoping to get a KO. Keep throwing the little punches every round. They are paving the way to victory. Make sure you walk humbly before God. He will help you win the fight.