1 Samuel 17:45, “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
When you are going through a trial, be it physical, financial, relationships, or being wrongly judged, think of David’s profile of trust in God, in the Old Testament, who had enormous courage, faith, and trust in the power of God as his shield to protect him. Criticism never stopped him, as his oldest brother Eliab, in 1 Samuel 17:28, wrongly and harshly accused David of being conceited and wicked in heart and abandoning his job at home as a shepherd, guarding their sheep. David didn’t argue with his brother and took the high road in carrying on his complete faith, courage, and trust in God to be there with him to fight his battle against the giant Goliath. God had sovereignly prepared David for this event in his first job of shepherding sheep, as he bare-handedly protected them from lions and bears. As Proverbs 16:3 instructs, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”
God allowed Eliab and Goliath to speak and treat David unjustly. Jerry Bridges wrote in his book “Trusting God,” “Now God sometimes allows people to treat us unjustly. Sometimes He even allows their actions to seriously affect our careers, or our futures viewed on a human plane. But God never allows people to make decisions about us that undermine His plan for us. God is for us, and we are His children. He delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17),” page 62. David took the steps needed to live out God’s agenda in defeating and killing Goliath with his javelin weapon.
My question for myself right now is, am I growing in courage and confidence in trusting God’s sovereignty over my life as it has taken some different changes? What about over our current world’s dilemmas? Am I living, as David did, in God’s promise in Psalm 84:11, which declares, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” God knows the future. We do not. You don’t have to have all the answers right now because our God is the planner-majestic God, and He goes before you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The next time you face a crisis, resight 1 Samuel 17:45 words of truth with boldness, “but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” It is more than about our talents and abilities or IQ. It is about having a new level of courage, trust, and faith in God. Jehovah Immeka – The LORD is with you. What do you think is His point of view about your situation? Ask Him. Remember, you are never alone. God’s presence is enough to defeat any enemy. May you have a new level of courage in your current circumstances to remember this truth from God’s Word.
Listen to Matthew West – Chosen (Lyric Video). New release.