Unshakeable Confidence in God
as David
We all meet situations in life where we need courage to act according to our convictions in spite of the forces that oppose us.
As we go about our daily lives, we also discover forces inside, the forces of evil in our human nature, which hinder us from doing the good that we long to do. If our desire is to live to God’s honor and to bless our fellow men, we can take courage from many examples in the Bible that tell of men and women who in their hour of weakness put their full confidence in God and conquered their enemies. The inspiring story of David and Goliath written in 1 Samuel, chapter 17, is one example. It was David’s unshakeable confidence in God and his zeal for God’s honor that gave him the courage and power to carry out the incredible task that suddenly confronted him.
Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, defied the armies of the living God. His threats caused the Israelites to be “dismayed and greatly afraid.” David, however, had had experience with God as a young shepherd boy out on the hills. “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” As soon as David heard the giant’s challenge, he understood that God’s honor was at stake and asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Goliath threatened David with certain defeat, but David knew his God and declared, “You come to me with a sword, 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. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.” Not a trace of doubt in David’s heart and mind! The first stone from David’s slingshot hit its target, and Goliath crashed to the ground, never to rise again.
God always honors faith and unconditional confidence in His power to help us do right. When we lack the courage to stand up for the truth or to defend what is just and right, let’s put our trust in an Almighty God. He will be at our side in an instant to strengthen us, just as He did David. We can also meet many “giants” in our own lives that threaten to destroy us. Fear and anxiety, for example, are mighty giants, but we can overcome them when we put all our confidence in God. “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” 1 Peter 3:13. The giants of anger, envy, greed, and egotism have destroyed many lives and homes. God wants to do us good, and free us from all these things so we can live happy and fulfilling lives.
The good news of the gospel is that not only will Jesus forgive our sins when we repent from them, but He will also save us from our sins. Matt. 1:21. Think to be saved, or set free, from such sins as complaining, self-pity, and gossip! If we are in earnest about overcoming these ugly giants, we will quickly discover that our hope of victory does not lie in the strength of such human resources as intelligence, talents, mere will power, etc, but in the power of the living God. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zech.4:6. David did not trust the armor Saul gave him, because he had not tested it. Neither did he trust in himself, but “in the name of the Lord of hosts.” Huge odds were against David, but the story tells us that he ran towards Goliath! No hesitation or doubt there! His confidence in God was unshakeable! The odds are against us too as we struggle to conquer the giants we find in our own lives, but if we put our full confidence in God, He will help us destroy them all! May the story of David inspire us to put our complete trust in God so we can also experience the joy and excitement of victory in our daily lives!
As we go about our daily lives, we also discover forces inside, the forces of evil in our human nature, which hinder us from doing the good that we long to do. If our desire is to live to God’s honor and to bless our fellow men, we can take courage from many examples in the Bible that tell of men and women who in their hour of weakness put their full confidence in God and conquered their enemies. The inspiring story of David and Goliath written in 1 Samuel, chapter 17, is one example. It was David’s unshakeable confidence in God and his zeal for God’s honor that gave him the courage and power to carry out the incredible task that suddenly confronted him.
Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, defied the armies of the living God. His threats caused the Israelites to be “dismayed and greatly afraid.” David, however, had had experience with God as a young shepherd boy out on the hills. “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” As soon as David heard the giant’s challenge, he understood that God’s honor was at stake and asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Goliath threatened David with certain defeat, but David knew his God and declared, “You come to me with a sword, 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. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.” Not a trace of doubt in David’s heart and mind! The first stone from David’s slingshot hit its target, and Goliath crashed to the ground, never to rise again.
God always honors faith and unconditional confidence in His power to help us do right. When we lack the courage to stand up for the truth or to defend what is just and right, let’s put our trust in an Almighty God. He will be at our side in an instant to strengthen us, just as He did David. We can also meet many “giants” in our own lives that threaten to destroy us. Fear and anxiety, for example, are mighty giants, but we can overcome them when we put all our confidence in God. “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” 1 Peter 3:13. The giants of anger, envy, greed, and egotism have destroyed many lives and homes. God wants to do us good, and free us from all these things so we can live happy and fulfilling lives.
The good news of the gospel is that not only will Jesus forgive our sins when we repent from them, but He will also save us from our sins. Matt. 1:21. Think to be saved, or set free, from such sins as complaining, self-pity, and gossip! If we are in earnest about overcoming these ugly giants, we will quickly discover that our hope of victory does not lie in the strength of such human resources as intelligence, talents, mere will power, etc, but in the power of the living God. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zech.4:6. David did not trust the armor Saul gave him, because he had not tested it. Neither did he trust in himself, but “in the name of the Lord of hosts.” Huge odds were against David, but the story tells us that he ran towards Goliath! No hesitation or doubt there! His confidence in God was unshakeable! The odds are against us too as we struggle to conquer the giants we find in our own lives, but if we put our full confidence in God, He will help us destroy them all! May the story of David inspire us to put our complete trust in God so we can also experience the joy and excitement of victory in our daily lives!
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