The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall

1 Samuel 17:38-51 (38) And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. (39) And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. (40) And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. (41) And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. (42) And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. (43) And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (44) And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (45) Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (46) This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (47) And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. (48) And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (49) And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. (50) So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. (51) Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. Here is one of the most celebrated chapters in the entire Bible. David here proved himself to be as reported, "...a mighty valiant man, and a man of war..." (1SAM 16:18). While the rest of Israel was in fearful consternation over the Philistine giant (1SAM 17:11), David knew that "...the battle is the LORD's..." (v.47) and proved that faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1JO 5:4) and puts giants in a world of hurt. God will at times suffer the church to be in general weakness, indifference or apostasy, so that men of substance are brought to the surface: "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1CO 11:19). David would have to cross a valley to engage Goliath (1SAM 17:2-3) but though he must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he would fear no evil (PSA 23:4), for God was with him. And if God be for us, who can be against us (ROM 8:31)? They are true giants who walk not in "...the spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind" (2TI 1:7). David had a fuller measure of that good spirit than most and much more than Saul. It was observed that when Samuel anointed Saul, only a vial of oil was needed (1SAM 10:1), but for David a full horn of oil (1SAM 16:1). It is appropriate that the first king of the Messianic royal line should be thus anointed, for it speaks of the fullness of the anointing of the Spirit (ISA 61:1-3) of its last and true King: God gave "...not the Spirit by measure unto him" (JOH 3:34). We observe that David refused Saul's offer of what Saul thought would be superior arms, saying "...I cannot go with these: for I have not proved them" (vs.38-39). Let believers take note: stick with what you know when earnestly contending for the faith---"...We speak that we do know..." (JOH 3:11). Believers without a "professional" array of arms from a seminary can with a few familiar, choice Bible verses slay giant temptations, giant deceptions and giant gainsayers. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence" (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).