David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with a dagger, spear and sword, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, God of Israel’s armies – you have defied Him… Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I will strike you down, cut your head off, …and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s’ (1 Sam. 17:45-47).
Victory is the state of conquest in any contest and struggle of life. It is virtually a success in any field of human endeavour. Success is a product of divine favour. Its divine connection is God’s involvement in the act. The onslaught of the young lad, David, against the warlord, Goliath, is a clear instance of victory. The biggest challenge of Israel’s army at this material of time was the man, Goliath. A terror of Israel, he stood in defence of Philistine. When Saul sent his own army to meet the Philistines and to join in battle with them, Goliath, the enemy, rather decided to go on a fight between the champions. Such a practice was not, however, uncommon in ancient warfare.
The height of Goliath was about 10 feet. The thoroughness of his protection, as much as the size and weight of the armour and weapons constituted danger and death to the Israelites, so much that even Saul, the King of Israel, was terrified.
However, David’s visit to the camp of Israel was a game-changer. Regardless of the size of the enemy, David understood the source of his power, and undermined Goliath. He rather stressed that the champion of champions is God.
His faith in God was greater than the build of the enemy. In his world of faith, David sized up Goliath and considered him as inconsequential. He assumed the heart and size of a champion, not so much for Israel, but for God Himself. This is because he knew that the insult of the enemy on God’s people was as well a direct insult to God Himself.
Goliath and his men were throwing scorn on Yahweh; so Yahweh must fight His battle. The battle is the Lord’s, he exclaimed; God does not save with sword or spear. As far as God is concerned, every human problem that constitutes a giant is a mere ant.
Friends of God, believe the word of God and key your faith into it. Indeed, it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will hand over your enemies into your hands (1 Sam. 17:47). Every battle of your life is God’s. As far as He is concerned, all known and unknown battles of your life are under His control. This, therefore, calls for total reliance on the One who fights your battle. David challenged Goliath in the name of the Lord Almighty whose name is a strong tower that saves the righteous. As in the days of Daniel, “Those who know the name of their God shall be strong and they shall do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
By this exploit of David through a sling of faith, it is important you understand that putting trust on human devices for personal or national security is erroneous (cf Psalm 127:1-2). At all times in one’s life, the Lord God Almighty in whom we trust must certainly expose the forehead of your enemy to your stone of faith for victory, just as in the case of David. Therefore, every Goliath of your life, business, career, family, academics and pursuits must be brought down by God through faith in Christ Jesus.
We must not conclude without mentioning the eternal victory over condemnation and death, won for us on the cross by Christ Jesus through his death and resurrection, hence the saying, “death has been swallowed up in victory”.
Where, o death is your victory?
Where, o death is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:55-56). This is your portion in Christ Jesus.
In this season of divine victory, the Lord of Hosts will fight all your battles and the banner of victory shall be waved by you. Your songs shall be songs of victory, and the enemy must take his flight.
