There’s a familiar story in the Bible about David and Goliath that has been told to us all from back in our Sunday School days. But when I was recently asked to preach on these two men in a series about their story, I wanted to dig a little deeper. And I found some truths that I believe we can all use in our day-to-day lives.

As told in 1 Samuel, David was by trade a shepherd. He was the youngest of his family of brothers and from the conversations in his family, not thought of very highly. As the prophet Samuel comes to anoint a new king, David’s father didn’t even bother inviting him to the party. Have you ever felt that way, even in your own family? Like you didn’t have much to offer. When Samuel didn’t feel a peace from God about any of the brothers as they were brought to him, he asked if there were any others. Only then did David’s father call for him. When David came running in from the field, God told Samuel, “yes that’s the one I want to be the next king. Man looks at the outside but I look at what is in heart.”

 This is a powerful message to us all. You may not feel like you’re much of anything when you look in the mirror but when God sees you, He sees the next king!

Interestingly, David didn’t get ushered into the palace after this amazing turn of events but instead back to the sheepfold. For years. You may realize that God is calling you to be a missionary, build orphanages in far off places, start a business, create software, preach or be a worship leader but more times than not, you have to still punch in at your present job, cook dinner, do the laundry and pay bills. Why? As we will see with David, there are lessons to be learned in the waiting that will be needed as you walk into your purposes. Bud and I have always told Danny that each job that he took, even the really bad ones, would teach him valuable lessons that he needed for the next step in his journey and it is absolutely true.

One of the things that David enjoyed doing while out in the wilderness tending to his sheep, was playing the harp. Now in Bible days the harp was not what we think of today. They were much smaller and he practiced it daily and was very good at it. The harp brought feelings of calm and peace and I imagine some of his Psalms were written from melodies that came from such a beautiful instrument. In fact he got so proficient at it, someone told King Saul, the present king, about David and he was invited often to play for him when he was agitated and depressed.

David’s brothers didn’t have much to say about him being a shepherd or playing the harp for the king but the day David showed up at the battlefield with provisions from their father, everything changed.

When David arrived, he heard a giant named Goliath, swearing and defying the army of Israel and their God. When David asked what was going on and what would be done for the one who killed this enemy, his older brother Eliab became incensed. He yelled insults and accusations at him that must have hurt him deeply. But the king heard about the conversation and sent for David. I’d like to point out here that the only reason David was granted an audience with the king was because of his harp playing. God can use your seemingly insignificant talents to put you exactly where you need to be and at times, even in the presence of very important people.

King Saul and David began to talk about this giant and David assured his king that he could kill this enemy. I’m sure that Saul laughed out loud at the thought of this young boy standing up to this 9 foot giant but he heard him out. David recounted how God had delivered him from both the paw of a bear and a lion as he watched his father’s sheep out in the wilderness. David saw the faithfulness of God time and time again and trusted that if he stood up to Goliath, God would have his back. Again we see that if David had not been sent back to his shepherding duties, he would have never seen the hand of God in such a powerful way. There were lessons to learn out there that he would need as he went through his journey. 

What has God been preparing you for as you go through your life? Do you hear His voice, guiding and teaching you as He prepares you for your next assignment? Never discount the years of preparation. They will serve you well along your own journey.

The king was impressed at what David had been able to do with God’s strength but he still knew that he was sending this kid to his death. But none of his warriors were stepping up to defend the nation and this giant had been taunting them for 40 days straight. So he told David, “Go and the Lord be with you.” Saul then dressed David up in his armor and shield but none of it fit him, neither in size or in purpose. So often we try to “wear” other people’s gifts and talents but be encouraged that God created you uniquely and you don’t need to copy what others can do. Don’t judge your life by what you see on social media. Most of it is not the whole truth anyway.

David then takes off King Saul’s armor, grabs his shepherd’s staff, chooses 5 smooth stones from the stream and puts them in his shepherd’ s bag as he grabs his sling. Goliath gets excited when he sees someone finally approaching the battle line. Yes, he thinks! Finally I get to fight! The Bible says that his armor bearer went before him. Interesting. As I studied more about Goliath, I learned that even though he was tall in stature and mighty in strength, he had weak eyes. He needed his armor bearer to go out before him to guide him because he couldn’t see very well. It just goes to show us that even our greatest enemy has their own limitations. The people you fear the most, have their own issues and weaknesses.

As Goliath got closer to David, he realized that he was just a boy and started screaming insults at him! He couldn’t believe that this young boy was the best Israel had to offer in the way of a warrior! He himself was bruised, dirty and scarred from battle and here walks up this healthy, handsome young kid with a staff in his hands instead of a sword. Here’s a truth that I want you to remember. Your enemies can’t see who you really are. They look at you and dismiss you because all they see is your outward appearance. To them, you don’t look like a worthy opponent but what they don’t know is what God has inside you.

Goliath then tells David to come closer so he could give his flesh to the birds and wild animals. The truth is, Goliath was right. If David had come closer, he would’ve never been able to avoid Goliath’s long reach with his huge sword. Your enemy wants you close so you hear the insults and accusations. But like David, know that you go into your battles knowing what God has done for you, knowing who HE is and what He is capable of and that the battle is not yours but God’s.

David’s response was one of power and acknowledgment of who his God is. You see David wasn’t mad at the insults Goliath hurled at him; he was furious that this enemy was putting down his God. He wasn’t going into this battle in his own strength to defend his own honor. He was going in God’s strength to defend the One who had delivered him from lions and bears!

What lions and bears has God delivered you from? What situations has He walked you through and brought you to the other side of? Those are the hard fought lessons that you take into your next battle. They don’t give you strength in your own ability but solidify who you serve and what He is capable of.

The Bible says that David took one stone and placed it in his sling, fired it off and the stone sunk deep into Goliath’s forehead, his most vulnerable spot. He was covered in armor from head to toe but there was a spot where his helmet didn’t cover and that’s what David aimed for. What’s interesting to me is that he took 5 stones to this battle. Bible commentaries have several thoughts on why but the Bible doesn’t disclose why. To me, the lesson I take from that action is simply that I need to be prepared. And for me, preparation means being in God’s word, being in prayer and communion with God, personal times of worship and praise. When the battle comes, and it is when not if, I need to be prepared to defend myself from the insults, accusations and lies and from whatever life sends my way. I need to know who I am in Christ and I can only find that through study and time alone with my Savior.

 To those around you, you may look like a harp playing shepherd but in God’s eyes you are a king, a mighty warrior with His purposes living inside you!