Goliath Falling by Becky Coyle
The human spirit resonates with the Biblical account of David and Goliath. In this ancient story a young shepherd is sent to check on his older brothers serving in Israel's battle against the Philistines who boast a giant man, Goliath, extraordinary in size and ferocity. Too small to carry even the typical armor of the day, David wears his usual clothing, chooses five stones from a brook, takes sling in hand and approaches the threat with unabashed boldness. He reprimands Goliath for defying God's army and sends a stone flying from a sling into the warrior's forehead, killing him. As the Philistine army flees the scene, David is deemed a hero. From this incident came a pathway to become Israel's king and ancestor of the promised Messiah.
The text is clear that David did not receive encouragement from any people surrounding him. His own brother, Eliab, accused David of being conceited and irresponsible for leaving the livestock so he could watch the battle. King Saul was certainly dubious of David's involvement, particularly due to youth and inexperience in warfare. Goliath was insulted at having to face a mere boy and mocked him.
David was not deterred. He was prepared, persistent and faithful. He did not give in to fear, but ran to meet his foe.
We know that David was human and fallible. Some of his sins are well-documented, his family was a mess and the Psalms he wrote are often a lament of his failures. Nevertheless, he was capable of courage equal to the task that was before him. Although criticized and doubted, he was an encourager to others in the face of his own imminent danger. He not only received the challenge, he took the initiative to run to it.
Is there a giant in your life? Poverty? Serious health conditions? An abusive relationship? The list could fill the page with everything from final exams to addictions of every stripe. What can you gain from David's story?
Remember that David knew God intimately. That is a good starting point. Quiet meditation on God and scripture can be life renewing. Faith as small as a mustard seed can grow bigger than your trouble with a little nurturing. Can you start with five minutes each day looking at what is right with the world and thanking God for it? Just start. See what begins to happen in your soul. This is your preparation.
Armor that is too heavy is counterproductive. Is yours too thick? Have you become insensitive to the world around you? Has fear or anger taken up residence around you, protecting you from the pain of life while sapping your positive energy? Remove it. Let God dress you for battle as you pray.
David did not listen to the naysayers. He recognized that the strength he needed was not from himself, but it wasn't from other people, either. It was from God alone. The best advice is from God. If He has led you to a challenge, he will give you what you need and walk with you through it, regardless of others' negative reactions to your good choices. Even if your particular struggle is self-induced, God knows what you need to find peace and stability.
Spread joy. Others around you are suffering. Give them hope. Offer a word of encouragement. Given in your pain, there is nothing more inspiring than sweet, understanding words to someone else who is hurting. Your words hold the power of life and death.
Ignore the temptation to procrastinate dealing with a difficult issue. A challenge has greater power when allowed to grow unchecked. A proactive stance is stronger than a reactive one. You don't have to be as bold as David to take a step toward overcoming your challenge. Write down the plan you would initiate if you had no fear of consequences or if you had all the energy and fortitude necessary to win. Include action steps for your goals. Spend time each day bringing your plan before God in earnest prayer. Implement the plan. Persist. Failure is part of the process, not the end. Your destiny is on the other side of the challenge. Get there.
The human spirit resonates with the Biblical account of David and Goliath. In this ancient story a young shepherd is sent to check on his older brothers serving in Israel's battle against the Philistines who boast a giant man, Goliath, extraordinary in size and ferocity. Too small to carry even the typical armor of the day, David wears his usual clothing, chooses five stones from a brook, takes sling in hand and approaches the threat with unabashed boldness. He reprimands Goliath for defying God's army and sends a stone flying from a sling into the warrior's forehead, killing him. As the Philistine army flees the scene, David is deemed a hero. From this incident came a pathway to become Israel's king and ancestor of the promised Messiah.
The text is clear that David did not receive encouragement from any people surrounding him. His own brother, Eliab, accused David of being conceited and irresponsible for leaving the livestock so he could watch the battle. King Saul was certainly dubious of David's involvement, particularly due to youth and inexperience in warfare. Goliath was insulted at having to face a mere boy and mocked him.
David was not deterred. He was prepared, persistent and faithful. He did not give in to fear, but ran to meet his foe.
We know that David was human and fallible. Some of his sins are well-documented, his family was a mess and the Psalms he wrote are often a lament of his failures. Nevertheless, he was capable of courage equal to the task that was before him. Although criticized and doubted, he was an encourager to others in the face of his own imminent danger. He not only received the challenge, he took the initiative to run to it.
Is there a giant in your life? Poverty? Serious health conditions? An abusive relationship? The list could fill the page with everything from final exams to addictions of every stripe. What can you gain from David's story?
Remember that David knew God intimately. That is a good starting point. Quiet meditation on God and scripture can be life renewing. Faith as small as a mustard seed can grow bigger than your trouble with a little nurturing. Can you start with five minutes each day looking at what is right with the world and thanking God for it? Just start. See what begins to happen in your soul. This is your preparation.
Armor that is too heavy is counterproductive. Is yours too thick? Have you become insensitive to the world around you? Has fear or anger taken up residence around you, protecting you from the pain of life while sapping your positive energy? Remove it. Let God dress you for battle as you pray.
David did not listen to the naysayers. He recognized that the strength he needed was not from himself, but it wasn't from other people, either. It was from God alone. The best advice is from God. If He has led you to a challenge, he will give you what you need and walk with you through it, regardless of others' negative reactions to your good choices. Even if your particular struggle is self-induced, God knows what you need to find peace and stability.
Spread joy. Others around you are suffering. Give them hope. Offer a word of encouragement. Given in your pain, there is nothing more inspiring than sweet, understanding words to someone else who is hurting. Your words hold the power of life and death.
Ignore the temptation to procrastinate dealing with a difficult issue. A challenge has greater power when allowed to grow unchecked. A proactive stance is stronger than a reactive one. You don't have to be as bold as David to take a step toward overcoming your challenge. Write down the plan you would initiate if you had no fear of consequences or if you had all the energy and fortitude necessary to win. Include action steps for your goals. Spend time each day bringing your plan before God in earnest prayer. Implement the plan. Persist. Failure is part of the process, not the end. Your destiny is on the other side of the challenge. Get there.