They're Not Always Named Goliath

One of the first, if not the first story in the Bible that captivated my attention and imagination is the story of the battle between a young shepherd named David and a fearsome whose name is Goliath. Some of you are familiar with this story, others may not be. The story in it's proper context can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible (1 Samuel 16-17). Reading and re-reading the account of David and Goliath has supplied more understanding and insight each time I encounter the text. I learn more and more from the story as I read more slowly and carefully.
As a young boy, the action in the valley and the severing of the battle savvy champion Goliath's head grabbed my attention in Sunday School and made the boys laugh as the girls all squirmed at such a heinous and disgusting act. But reading the account again and again teaches that there were many lessons learned before the epic battle ever occurred.
Goliath was a feared member of the Philistine army, and an enemy of the Israelites. The time came when both of those armies made their camps on seperate hills across a valley from one another and a battle line was drawn. Three of David's older brothers were members of the Israelite army, but David worked two jobs; he was the shepherd of his father Jesse's flock of sheep as well as a servant of King Saul acting as his armor bearer and would play his harp for the King to soothe his anxieties. This was a time of war and for forty days, each morning and evening this tall, strong, heavily armed warrior Goliath would stand and shout, taunting the Israelites to send one of their own men to fight a winner take all battle. The scriptures tell us that the Israelites and even their King, their leader were both dismayed and terrified. The Israelates lost heart and were fearful beyond belief.
Meanwhile, David continued to care for his father's flock and deliver supplies to the stagnant battle front. From the home front it appears that Jesse had the idea that David's three brothers were in a ferocious battle in the Valley of Elah. Instead, they huddled and hid in fear from the monstrous man that belittled them day by day for over a month's time. David left the flock in the care of another shepherd and loaded the supplies to deliver to the battle front. Upon his arrival the armies had gathered on their respective hills to shout war cries at their enemy across the valley. While greeting his brothers he witnessed the giant from Gath, Goliath, step out of the battle line and offer his usual defiant attempt to pick a fight. David then witnessed the unbelievable. The Israelite army turned tail and ran like scared children in the face of danger. Of course they had their reasons and justification for fleeing from a battle that was ultimately the Lords. They claimed that Goliath stood to gain great wealth from the King of the Philistines for winning the battle single-handedly. This giant would be made part of the royal family, being given the King's daughter in marriage (what a lucky gal). Even his family would be exempt from paying taxes. Again and again the claims were made as to how and why this giant was unbeatable. David's oldest brother even chastised him probably to deflect his own guilt, shame, and embarrassment for his bewilderment that nothing had been done to protect Israel. When King Saul heard what David had been saying he sent for him. Although David was willing to take up the challenge of the one who everyone else feared, Saul couldn't believe a shepherd boy had the ability to win this challenge. David recounted to King Saul that during his time as a mere shepherd he was forced to fight both a lion and a bear while defending his flock, with such ferocity that he saved the lives of his sheep, and David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:37 NIV)
Saul then dressed David for battle by clothing him with his tunic, put David in a full suit of armor, shoved a heavy bronze helmet on his head, and gave him his sword. David tried to walk around and realized this armor and sword were too heavy and cumbersome and would be a hindrance rather than help. When I picture David clunking around in Saul's royal armor it reminds me of coaching pee-wee football and seeing little boys wearing pads and helmets they have never worn before, watching them is fun as what appears to be cleats, a big helmet, and a tiny body stumble, fall, flip, and trip.
David took his staff, went to the stream and chose five smoothe stones from the stream and put them in his shepherd's pouch and with his sling in his hand he approached the Philistine. What a shock this must have been to Goliath, who no doubt laughed heartily as he watched the Israelites scamper away each day upon hearing his challenge. Goliath approached this young boy, confidently no doubt. This mammoth man had a shield bearer in front of him as he moved toward the young shepherd. "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him." (1 Samuel 17:48-50)
David teaches us all a lesson if we'll only look closely:

1. We all have the battles that we must face. We all have Goliaths in our lives even though as the title says, they're not always named Goliath. Your obstacle ridden battle may be well known among many others, or only by a few close and trusted friends, or perhaps you're battling in silence and the recesses of your emotion and soul. Who or what are you battling? Your marriage, your boss, your children, your parents, your addictions, and the list could go on forever. Maybe your battle is to just get out of bed in the morning and face another day because you know Goliath is waiting at the door to challenge you.

2. Whatever the challenge that lies ahead you have but one choice. RUN. We learn from the terrified Israelite army that they ran away from the fray and quivered in the safety of their camp. We also see a young shepherd boy who was without armor or sword run toward the battle. When your battles and challenges approach, RUN! Run toward the challenge, because the alternative is to shrink in fear day after day after day with no end in sight creating a sense of hopelessness. Hopelessness leads to excuses and the jusification of inaction. RUN toward your challenge.

3. David's training for such a battle is unorthodox for the rest of the fighting men. He simply tended his father's flock faithfully. Wrestling his sheep from the beasts of the field that sought to devour them. Notice that David tells King Saul that God delivered him from the paw of the lion and of the bear, and God would deliver him from the hand of this beast of a man. David had no reason to believe that God would not give victory for certainly the claws of the beasts were more imposing than the hands of a mere man, no matter how big they were. We must remember that no matter how big the rushing wave of battle approaches, our strength comes from living our lives day to day faithfully remembering that we can overcome that which paralyzes those whose faith is shallow, weak, or non-existent. Just do the small things to the best of your ability day by day and when the big events enter the stage of life upon which we live, our training will pay dividends beyond our wildest dreams.

4. Stooping beside a stream of water David carefully chose five stones. Why five? We can only guess. But five stones were placed in his pouch and to the battle line he marched. It must've been an absurd sight to see such a powerful warrior being approached by a man with a stick, some rocks, and a sling. If wagers were being made, David was definitely the ultimate underdog. He could've tried to slog his way to the battle line in kingly armor, but he had to fight the battle his way, the challenge must be met in the only way he knew how to fight. David had to grapple with Goliath in his way. The same is true for us all. When we try to emulate someone else, instead of being ourselves we will most definitely have difficulties. God created us individually and special in our own ways. We've spent a lifetime honing and refining the true person God made us to be, sometimes even by the people who rub us the wrong way, but like sand paper, those irritants smooth our rough edges. Don't try to fight your battles or climb your hills like someone else. Shed the armor that isn't meant for you and live the life that feels right in your own skin.

5. And always remember that the battle is the Lord's. I've wrestled with God, He always wins. I'm reminded of wrestling on the floor of our living room with my Dad when I was a small child. His strength was exponentially bigger than mine, and so was his restraint. There was no way possible that I could beat him no matter how hard I tried, how mad I got, or how much energy I expended. He was Dad, and although he pretended that sometimes I was getting the best of him, the living room wrestling match always was his. The outcome was his choice. I was weak, and he is strong. David knew that it wouldn't be armor or sword, a stone and a sling, or even his amazing aim that would conquer the Philistine hero. David knew that God would win the battle and was allowing David to be part of the story. Today in the midst of your monumental tasks and Goliath moments, the battle is the Lord's and he has a perfect record.

Identify and clarify the battles that are really worth fighting. Run toward your challenges, knowing that retreat breeds fear and self-loathing, and eventually hopelessness and defeat. Live your life doing the right things day after day, time after time, for we know that whether we're smiling or sobbing and God is smiling upon us, we're doing the right thing. Live in your own skin, being who you are as God created you and continues to shape you. And never, ever forget that ultimately the battle is the Lord's. Ask not whether God is on your side, for he is always with you. Rather ask, am I living on God's side. Get up! RUN toward the worthy battles that scare you! Keep living boldly even in the most mundane or tragic times! Be yourself, God made you, and keep letting Him shape you! And may your daily battle cry become, "THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S" They're rarely named Goliath, but there are great tasks ahead of you that can fill you with fear or the courage and conviction that God is bigger!