David: The Boy Who Would Be KingSample

In what is probably the most well-known story of David’s life we see him defeat the giant Goliath. This text details the young man, David, bravely going before the Philistine champion, Goliath, in a battle to determine the fate of two nations. Even though he lacks visible strength, experience, and size, David knows that it isn’t his skill that will determine the course of the battle. He even tells Goliath that, “the LORD will deliver you into my hand.” David recognizes that his strength comes from God not from wearing heavy armor and carrying a sword. It is God who has determined the end of this battle and already declared that God, through David, will be victorious. 

This is where the true power of this story in David’s life has relevance for us today. This text teaches us a greater lesson that God can defeat the giants of our lives. The true relevance of this text is that God will and has already defeated the greatest giant in our lives. Sin and death have been defeated, not by David, but by someone in the lineage of David, Jesus Christ. 

Paul tells us in Colossians that we were once dead in our sins, then God canceled our debts and made us alive in him. It was Christ who disarmed the greatest giant in our lives, the power of sin and death. When we turn to Christ, we, like David striding to meet the giant Goliath, assured that our victory is won. Not by our own strength but because the Lord has delivered us from our enemies. At the cross, he nailed our guilt and shame to the cross and gave us new life.

We can live this life knowing that we have nothing to fear—that no giant we face will ever be greater than the giant that has already been defeated in our lives. 

Reflection Questions:

What is the significance of David not going into battle with Saul’s armor and weapons?

What are the little giants we can face easier in our lives knowing that the greatest giant already been defeated?