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1 Samuel 17:1-11; 19-23; 32-49
BY BRIAN KEITH FLEET

We have all heard the story of David and Goliath. We remember how David slew Goliath with a slingshot and some rocks. But how well do we understand the significance of this story in our daily lives?

The story of David and Goliath is a favorite among children because it lets them know that they can become somebody when people have told them that they are nobody.

It is about the underdog coming out on top; the quiet misunderstood kid; the one with no respect who comes out a winner despite the insurmountable odds. We all know people like this and we have a tendency to cast them aside and place our odds on the Goliath figure.

In this story, Israel is at war with the Philistines. Saul and the Israelites are on one side of the Elah River while the Philistines are on the other. On the first day they began sizing up each other. They stomped and pounded the earth, each one trying to out yell the other. Much as we do when we get into shouting matches, usually over insignificant things.

One thing we need to understand as we confront our Goliaths is that the opponent always has a secret weapon. Just as they were about to go head to head, the Philistines brought out their secret weapon. Just when we think that we have the adversary under control, that is the moment that our foe brings something else into the picture.

As they lined up for battle, the ranks of the Philistines split and outcame Goliath. The Israelites saw Goliath and their hearts sank. Their jaws dropped open in shock and awe and they turned pale. All of the talk and noise they had made was swallowed up.

Goliath wanted to know where their champion was. 'Where is your warrior,' he shouted. The Israelites sat in their tents and shivered in fear.

We must understand that the enemy will bring out his secret weapon and will talk loud and make us afraid. But the Bible reminds us that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. And just when we think we cannot fight the battle because Goliath is too big, that is when God brings in a 'secret weapon.'

While David was searching for the stones, his prayer was the secret weapon that he used to defeat Goliath.

David whipped out his slingshot, loaded the stones, wound up and with a flick of his wrist brought Goliath down to his knees. Goliath fell to the ground and was dead; the underdog had won the battle.

As we confront our Goliaths there are three things to remember. The first is a 'I know I can' attitude. Say within yourself that you can beat the giants of alcohol, drugs, lying, cheating or just plain laziness to doing the will of God.

The second is to go beyond the normal. Goliath was pretty big and was supposed to defeat David, but when David compared Goliath to Almighty God, Goliath was not so big. The third thing that we have to do when confronting our Goliaths is to depend on God.

Continue to celebrate, serve, share, develop, and connect with God and others.

The Rev. Bryan Keith Fleet is pastor, Mt. Zion-Warren UMC in Dickerson.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure

Connect: Call a friend this week and share with her or him about a battle that you face, asking your friend to pray for you. Ask for courage or strength or simply for the ability to name the giants in your life.

Develop: Look up 'Philistine' in an encyclopedia and also in a Bible encyclopedia. Who were these people? What kind of history did they have with the Israelites?

Serve: Volunteer at an elementary school and read a story to a child or a class about facing and overcoming giants. Children sometimes need to hear that giants can be overcome.

Share: Share with a child how God helped you face and overcome a giant in your life.