by Nick Miller

Is fear getting the best of you?

I was reading the story of David and Goliath, a famous story of a young and faithful boy defeating an opposing giant. Often while reading this story, I am inspired by David’s unshakable faith and courage in taking on an insurmountable enemy. However, in my time reading and studying this story, I found a particular trend that truly reveals the nature of the enemy, Goliath. Goliath had a way of imposing fear on the nation of Israel, and in the same manner our enemy has a way of imposing fear on us.

The story begins with Goliath approaching the entire Israelite army. He challenges them to a man-to-man fight so as to avoid an entire battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. Nearly nine foot tall, he stands in the middle of the valley hurling insults at the Israel nation and their God.

Look at the reaction of the Israelite army after hearing the screams of the Philistine giant:

Then the Philistine [Goliath] said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. – 1 Samuel 17:10-11

Before this giant even swung his sword, the entire army concluded that they would be defeated by this man. The words they heard and the stature of the man standing in front of them instilled fear into their hearts, immobilizing them before the battle. In fact, they are so fearful that they try to convince David to succumb to the fear of Goliath.

The king of Israel has no hope or faith in David’s strength compared to the opposing monster:

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” – 1 Samuel 17:33

David refused to listen to and embrace the fear that inflicted the entire army. He begins to ready himself for battle by going down to a stream and grabbing several rocks and his sling. He approaches the giant and declares God’s power before the enemy. Goliath tries one last time to shout fear into David’s heart, but David begins to run at him. David uses his weapon and sinks a stone into the enemy’s forehead, defeating the great Goliath. The truth is that Goliath is actually a fragile giant, able to be beaten by a faithful boy!

”So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” – 1 Samuel 17:50

The enemy is going to appear big, but truly can be struck down by a little stone.

Satan has not changed his tactic and tries to instill fear in us the same way today. He knows that he is fragile and weak compared to us, so Satan is going to try to scream and act big. The lies that he screams in our face are an attempt to instill fear into our minds that will immobilize us in our faith journey.

The problems that appear too great for us to handle are just a facade to try and get us to succumb to fear. We need to begin to use our little stone to take down a fragile enemy. Fear is not as big and powerful as it seems! Do not let little words take you out!

Understand that the enemy cannot even take a swing at you, for he has already been defeated. He is little compared to us, so don’t be afraid this week when he tries to stand before you and shout at you. With faith, we can trample our fear and do what Christ has created us to do!

photo: unsplash.com