Overlooking What's Right Before Us
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It took me just two seconds to spot the error in my email signature—the wrong zip code had been there all along. One wrong character, yet miles apart. For years, this subtle mistake remained hidden in plain sight, unnoticed by everyone until Julie pointed it out.
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Like King Saul in the story of David and Goliath, we often fail to see what God has placed directly in front of us. God sent Saul a man of war to defeat his enemy. Yet Saul, unable to see as God sees, overlooked the divine provision standing before him.
Seeing Through God's Eyes
When the Philistine giant Goliath challenged Israel, two perspectives emerged:
- David, filled with God's Spirit, saw merely an uncircumcised Philistine defying the living God
- Saul, lacking spiritual vision, saw only an unbeatable warrior
"You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth." - Saul to David
What Saul couldn't see was that God had already equipped David as "a man of valor, a man of war" (1 Samuel 16:18). Saul imposed his own limitations on David, saying "You are not able" when, in fact, David was.
Faith That Remembers God's Faithfulness
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Recalling Past Deliverances
David remembered how God had delivered him from lions and bears as he defended his sheep. His confidence wasn't self-reliance but God-reliance.
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Recognizing Present Opportunity
With faith forged in previous battles, David could see the current challenge through the lens of God's power rather than his own weakness.
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Trusting Future Victory
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37
Refusing Worldly Weapons
Saul's Armor Rejected
David refused Saul's armor, helmet, and sword—worldly weapons that would have hindered rather than helped. By removing them, David ensured God would receive all glory.
Shepherd's Tools Embraced
Instead, David chose five smooth stones and his trusty sling—simple tools of his shepherd's trade through which God's power would flow unhindered.
Fighting like the enemy only makes us become like the enemy. Our battles are spiritual, and our weapons must be spiritual too.
The Clash of Two Powers
Goliath's Boast
"Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" Goliath cursed David by his gods, relying on his intimidating appearance, weapons, and pride. 1 Samuel 17:43
David's Response
"You come to me with a sword and 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." 1 Samuel 17:45
For God's Glory Alone
Not For Personal Fame
David didn't seek personal glory in facing Goliath. His goal was explicitly stated: "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." 1 Samuel 17:46
Not Through Human Strength
"That all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's..." 1 Samuel 17:47
Through Faith in Action
David didn't passively wait for a miracle. He acted in faith, running quickly toward the battle line, knowing God would guide his hand. 1 Samuel 17:48
Christ Connection
David foreshadows Christ in beautiful ways. Both rescued sheep from predators. Both crushed the head of their scaled enemy—David with a stone, Christ at the cross. Both demonstrated God's power through apparent weakness. Both silence the mouths of blasphemers.
Our Spiritual Battle Today
Arm Yourself Spiritually
"We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual forces of evil." Our weapons are truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:11-18
Run to the Battle
Like David who "ran quickly toward the battle line," we must actively engage in spiritual warfare rather than passively waiting on the sidelines.
Shine in Darkness
We are "light in the dark world," called to go with the gospel of peace into places of spiritual darkness to set captives free.
Give God Glory
Remember God's past faithfulness and give Him all credit for victories, strengthening your faith for future challenges.
Releasing the Next Generation
"The greatest deterrent keeping young Christians from going to the nations with the gospel is Christian parents."
- Dr. Todd Errand
Like Saul who tried to dissuade David from his God-given calling, we may unintentionally hinder those God is calling to spiritual battle. If we truly believe the battle belongs to the Lord, we must release our children to follow His leading, confident that His purposes will prevail.