Does anyone need some good news of victory? Isn’t it good to hear of a person winning against the odds? We are in one of those times right now. And some victory news is just what we need. There was a time during COVID-19 when our church had members read a portion of scripture on social media each morning. One morning, I Samual 17:41-49 was read. I wanted to cheer for God and His work as the scripture was shared.

Let’s go over the wonderful account now. You can get your Bible and follow along with me~

Verse 41– Meanwhile is the first word in the version I read – Meanwhile indicates another scenario going on near or around the same time as the one I’m about to read. You will learn what is happening in a few verses above. 

Verse 42 – With his shield-bearer in front of him, we see an arrogant and hateful Philistine approach David. Often, fear is a close companion to arrogance. The largest opponents still have fear. 

Verses 43 & 44 indicate that after the Philistine took a visual assessment of David, he concluded he was only a boy with sticks. He seems insulted that he doesn’t have a stronger opponent. And yet his mouth reveals the fear. If David’s sticks weren’t fearful to him, then why did he talk about them at all? “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” But could it be the Philistine perceived a threat?

He continues cursing David by his dead gods and concludes with threats of David’s destruction. After all this bluster and bullheadedness, David speaks. A foreign language to his enemy yet familiar speech to David of his faith in God. 

And David predicts the giants’ future. Only God-confidence could give a little boy the courage to speak to this “giant” face to face.

Here it is:

Verses 45-47 – David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

After you rejoice and ponder how good God is, enjoy worshiping here Strength in the Name

As we continue our story, we find the following:

Verse 48 will have you cheering as David runs to meet the enemy! What wonderful news! Does David’s example teach me that I don’t have to cower before my enemies? You mean I don’t have to retreat? I don’t have to talk about them to my closest friends. No, there are other ways. We have weapons of peace, composure under pressure, respect, truth, eye contact, and more. We can run to meet the enemy, knowing our God is beside us, standing with us.

David’s rock struck Goliath in a place where there was no armor. The giant was large and moving slowly.

Verse 49 – David’s timing was God’s timing. His faith in the One True God was the weapon for sure defeat. His legs transported him to victory, and the stone aimed precisely at the head conquered the enemy.

Impossible odds and a giant. But again, it’s not a giant that wins. It’s an ordinary little boy with enormous confidence in His living God. 

Remember this:

Whatever your situation, God is still on His throne. No matter the outcome, God has a reputation for caring for those who depend on Him. Just as David let that rock soar from his slingshot straight into the giants’ forehead, our sight precisely targeted is on our God. He is our strength, our help, and our victorious conqueror. 

It’s a fact that the weak surely can win, and the weak do win. Followers of Jesus win as we focus on Jesus. He gives the perspective we need even when we don’t see what He is doing. He gives us the strength to wait. He gives the courage to act when it is time. He is the light in the darkness and our Truth when lies swirl.

3 Ways the Weak Win:

• They show up to the meeting.
• They bring the proper equipment.
• They execute the plan.

When we are weak, He is strong(2 Corinthians 12:9–11). That is a promise and our God never fails. No matter how you feel. Reset. Put your hope in God(Psalm 33:20-22). Besides the precious Holy Spirit, the Bible is your sword in battle. Read it, write it, say it, listen to it, sing it. Your spirit will be renewed as you wait for the outcome. And no matter the outcome, you still have victory because you have depended on the Lord through it all. David had victory because He trusted in God. Hold on. Don’t give up. Get your equipment ready. And wait on God’s timing. 

©Valerie Rumfelt

SOMEONE NEEDS IT~

SHARE IT!