Embracing Faith Over Fear: David's Charge Against Goliath
1 Samuel 17:48
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Oh, to be as fearless as David! How often are we taught to fear the unknown? David surely could have been paralyzed by fear, just as the armies of Israel, but he was too full of faith for that to happen! Think about it; here is a young man who was just a shepherd boy. He spent most of his time tending to sheep. No doubt his older brothers highly discouraged him from getting too close to the battle, as he was only a youth. Yet, in all of this, young David had this advantage: while the others were in a trance from the lies and threats of the enemy, he was filling himself up with the Word of God! That’s why when David came on the scene he did not see the giant as a problem, but as an opportunity for God to show Himself mighty! David wasn’t interested in what everyone else was saying, but only what God had already spoken in His Word! David already had an encounter with the Great Shepherd, and therefore knew that everything was going to be alright! With that knowledge of the Holy One, and with that Confidence in Him, David did not even flinch when the enemy started in his direction; as a matter of fact, when his enemy drew closer to him, David ran out to meet him! He wasn’t running FROM his opponent, but rather running TO him! Would to God that we His people would have the same vigor, faith, enthusiasm, zeal, and confidence to step out by faith and trust God to bring us through every time we face a giant! Here’s the truth--we CAN! We don’t have to be afraid of the storm! We don’t even have to be afraid of the devil! “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:…” Let’s not forget that 2 Timothy 1:7 is still in the Bible: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Child of God, whatever you’re facing today, why not allow the Prince of Peace to flood your soul with that peace which passes all understanding! He will fill you to overflowing, and enable you to overcome your fears with His Word! Learn to laugh in the face of danger, even as David was shouting for the battle even in the midst of an army who was scared stiff! Be courageous and trust God; you have nothing to lose, and a victory to gain!
~ Pastor Garry Caudill
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Oh, to be as fearless as David! How often are we taught to fear the unknown? David surely could have been paralyzed by fear, just as the armies of Israel, but he was too full of faith for that to happen! Think about it; here is a young man who was just a shepherd boy. He spent most of his time tending to sheep. No doubt his older brothers highly discouraged him from getting too close to the battle, as he was only a youth. Yet, in all of this, young David had this advantage: while the others were in a trance from the lies and threats of the enemy, he was filling himself up with the Word of God! That’s why when David came on the scene he did not see the giant as a problem, but as an opportunity for God to show Himself mighty! David wasn’t interested in what everyone else was saying, but only what God had already spoken in His Word! David already had an encounter with the Great Shepherd, and therefore knew that everything was going to be alright! With that knowledge of the Holy One, and with that Confidence in Him, David did not even flinch when the enemy started in his direction; as a matter of fact, when his enemy drew closer to him, David ran out to meet him! He wasn’t running FROM his opponent, but rather running TO him! Would to God that we His people would have the same vigor, faith, enthusiasm, zeal, and confidence to step out by faith and trust God to bring us through every time we face a giant! Here’s the truth--we CAN! We don’t have to be afraid of the storm! We don’t even have to be afraid of the devil! “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:…” Let’s not forget that 2 Timothy 1:7 is still in the Bible: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Child of God, whatever you’re facing today, why not allow the Prince of Peace to flood your soul with that peace which passes all understanding! He will fill you to overflowing, and enable you to overcome your fears with His Word! Learn to laugh in the face of danger, even as David was shouting for the battle even in the midst of an army who was scared stiff! Be courageous and trust God; you have nothing to lose, and a victory to gain!
~ Pastor Garry Caudill