David faced Goliath in one of the most iconic stories in the Bible. People say, “That was a David and Goliath story” when the odds are far from even, but the little guy defeats the big guy.
Everyone thought David was going to die out there on the battlefield. The fact that he didn’t was not because of David’s experience killing giants—he had none. He had experience protecting sheep from lions and bears (oh my!). That played an important role in giving him courage but didn’t make the outcome more certain.
The crucial advantage David possessed was years of experience abiding with God out in the fields tending sheep. That part is super-important. David knew, after so much time together, the things God loves and the things He hates. This was critical for knowing what God wanted him to do that day. David also had plenty of moxie:
“This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:46)
It’s my guess that David spent years hearing his older brothers talk like that, and I bet he gave it right back to them. It’s the kind of rowdy banter brothers exchange. His experience as the youngest brother probably helped build his confidence for this showdown but that didn’t make the outcome more certain either.
David was in the middle of a spiritual battle and he knew it.
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47)
David had his part to play, but it was 1% of what was needed to win the day. When we are doing spiritual work that God wants done, He does 99% (the heavy lifting) and we do 1% (obediently showing up). That 1% is critical, and, until David came to deliver lunch that day, no one else was willing to do anything about that big-mouthed giant. No one else was as close to God and knew God’s heart like David did.
That’s the thing to remember. Our 1% is critical, but it’s useless if we have no idea what God is like or what He wants. Too many Christians are in that category, so they never step in when the giants show up. They cower back in a tent like King Saul. But if the battle is the Lord’s and we know it, everything changes. It all becomes very clear.
We don’t have to be big enough or experienced enough to make the odds realistic. The quiet calling from the Holy Spirit moves us toward God to love Him and trust Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. That’s when we’ll see that the battle truly is the Lord’s. We just need to bring our trust in the Lord (and perhaps a wee bit of moxie) as our 1% then watch God do all the big stuff.
Dave Carl
Creator, Paws & Tales