If you haven’t read the full story of David & Goliath in awhile click here.  You may also want to check out parts 1 -4 in this series.

And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you.  And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” ~ 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (emphasis mine)

We start this post with Goliath  – you know that nine foot giant!!! –  shouting at David. David, the little shepherd boy, the kid not even strong enough to wear a suit of armor, the kid going into battle with a sling and a few rocks.  And Goliath is not just shouting but threatening David’s life, seriously threatening his life.  Can you picture it?  I would be shaking in my shoes just standing as a witness.  I can only imagine how hard David’s heart was pounding, how his hands were shaking, and how much sweat was collecting on his forehead.

I would probably turn around and run.  Okay, God, I thought you called me out here, but maybe I was wrong.

But not David.  He stands his ground and proclaims “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts” and then goes on to tell Goliath how the Lord with deliver Goliath into David’s hand.  That takes some guts, right!?!  It takes more than guts, it takes confidence.  And well-place confidence is the simple but powerful message that we hear in this passage.

David had confidence but not in himself.  He had well-placed confidence.  David’s confidence was not in his sling and stone or even his previous experience with lions and bears.  David had confidence in the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, The God who parted the Red Sea and delivered His people from Pharaoh, The God who knocked down the walls of Jericho, and the God who has done and will do so much more.  The same God who chose David to step out in front of Goliath.

David’s amazing actions remind me that faith is more than theory, it’s practice.  It’s easy for me to say I have confidence in the Lord, but it is something completely different to act it out.  David, the youngest in his family, the lowly shepherd boy, knew his God and because of that knowledge he was able to step out in faith, step out with confidence, when the Lord called him to act.  Can I say the same?

In order form me to truly have confidence in my Lord I need to know Him, just as David did.  How do I know Him?  By spending time with Jesus, quiet time with Him alone through prayer and the reading of His word.  Why do I need to know Him? So that when He asks me to step out in front of a giant, or to start a simple blog, or invite a neighbor to church, or start a Bible study in my home I can act because I have confidence.

Well placed confidence in Christ.

Confidence that tells me He has it under control.

Confidence that tells me He has a better plan.

Confidence that tells me that this will work His way for His glory.

Confidence that demonstrates my faith.

Lord, I want my confidence in You to spur on obedience that leads to actions that demonstrate my faith in You.  I know that the only way I can be confident in You is to know You more.  Please teach me who You are, reveal Yourself to me through Your word.  Help me to make prayer, conversation with You, a priority above all else in my life.  I love You, Lord and desire the confidence and the faith that it takes to step out in front of a giant.  Please grant me this request.  In Your perfect holy name, amen.

I hope my thoughts help you understand how this Old Testament scripture can be applied to our modern lives, but don’t just take my word for it.  Dive into The Bible yourself, pray, and ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you.

Have a question or a thought?  Please feel free to leave a comment.