And all the men of Israel, when they saw him were dreadfully afraid. 1 Samuel 17:24 HCSB
When this Scripture passage says, “All the men of Israel.” it is referring to God’s army. These are God’s chosen people. The same people whose ancestors walked through the Red Sea when God parted it after delivering them from slavery in Egypt. These are the same people whose ancestors fought victoriously in many battles which seemed impossible to win. These are the chosen children of God. Yet, they are terribly afraid of this giant, Goliath.
Once Goliath came out, they were terrified. We are told in verse 4 that he was six cubits and a span tall, which in our measurement would mean 9 feet and 9 inches tall.
He challenged the Israelite army to send just one man to fight him, one on one. The loser’s army would become servants to the winner’s army. Sounds simple enough, but they are terrified. So, they just go out there every day in their battle formation. And every day for 40 days, Goliath comes out morning and evening to say the same thing and issue the same challenge. Sounds kind of like Groundhog Day, doesn’t it?
But then along comes this scrawny little teenager, shepherd boy named David. David has come by to check on his three older brothers and bring them some food from his dad. David hears the giant taunting the Israelite army and this makes him mad. This is what you call righteous anger. David’s not mad because him or his brothers are being insulted. He is mad because this giant is insulting the army of the one true God. You see righteous anger is when we are angry because someone does something against God, not against us.
Anyway, David starts asking some questions and then offers to go against Goliath. Both Saul and David’s brother are skeptical, but David points out the times that God has delivered him from lions in the wilderness. David is sure that God will deliver him from the hand of this Philistine who is mocking God’s army. He is trusting God to do the same as he goes against this giant. While Saul is skeptical, it’s not like he has a lot of choices. No one else is stepping up to the challenge. So, David goes out there. He was too small to wear the armor and be able to walk. So,he takes off the armor given to him and approaches Goliath with a slingshot and five stones. But the other thing David brought with him was faith. I love what he tells Goliath as they approach each other in verses 46-47, “You come to me with a sword, a spear and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head off and this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and He will give you into our hands.” So, take that Goliath. And with his sling and his stones and his great faith in God, David slew Goliath just as he promised.
When the Philistine army saw that Goliath was dead, they ran away in fear. You see faith conquers fear every time. If you are shaking in your boots because that giant is staring you down, trust in the LORD. Know that He’s got your back. Trust in Him to take care of you. Don’t ever let your fear overtake your faith, but always allow your faith to conquer your fear.
Have a great day!