Facing Our Goliaths

As I listened to the children reading the story of Goliath this past week, one verse seemed to jump off the page. 1 Samuel 17:8 states, "Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, 'Why have you come out to line up for battle?  Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul?  Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.'"  

Most of us are very familiar with the story of David and Goliath, but to recap...David arrives at the war zone as the troops are leaving for battle.  They have had a "pep talk" from Saul whom promised great reward to anyone who defeats Goliath.  In 1 Samuel 17:20, we see the troops head out with a battle cry.  Four verses later, "all the men fled from him (Goliath) and were dreadfully afraid."  

This made me think of how we prepare for our Goliaths.  Perhaps there is great similarity.  I know there is in my life.  Maybe your Goliath is bringing your Bible to work, witnessing to someone, writing a letter to an unsaved friend or family member, ending a destructive relationship, or loving your spouse unconditionally.  Whatever the case, how many of us charge out to face our Goliath only to fail miserably? 

Check out what we can learn from David... Note that Goliath's taunt in verse 8 states that the Israelites are "servants of Saul."  This statement by the enemy fits in nicely with the prize package that is offered by Saul...but remember the enemy is the prince of lies.  David knows the truth...he and all the Israelites should focus on the fact that they are servants of the "armies of the living God" (verse 26).

Who are we serving?  If our focus is ourselves, our church or some tangible prize, we will probably experience more failures than successes against Goliath...just as the Israelites were failing.  Let's draw near to Him, become servants to the most high God and let HIM make us VICTORIOUS!!!!