My husband, Tim has been doing the Children’s Moment in our church once a month since the first of the year. I enjoy being a part of the audience since I never really know what he’s going to do. He’s been known to have some pretty crazy props for his presentations. It’s not good to sit too close to the front because you might get hit by flying objects. Just saying!

Well his topic this week was about the well-known story of “David and Goliath.” Even if you are not versed in the Bible, you probably can recall this one: small boy goes up against a giant and succeeds against all odds. In many respects, it is a tale of an underdog taking on a sure winner. But is it? What moved the odds in David’s favor?

As Tim set the stage for the story, he asked for one of the children to volunteer to be David. Of course, no one volunteered but he convinced a red-headed young man to play the part. David was said to be of ruddy complexion and there are those who think he may have had red hair but no one truly knows. Tim tied a cloth carpenter’s apron around his waist to serve as a shepherd’s pouch. In it was 5 smooth stones like those David would have collected from a stream. He put a shepherd’s staff in his right hand and a make-shift sling/exercise band in his left. He made a great David.

They didn’t practice throwing any stones. Thank goodness! But as Tim dressed our make-believe David, he spoke of how David would have unknowingly prepared for his battle against Goliath every day of his life. He was a shepherd dedicated to protecting his father’s sheep. Sheep are susceptible to many predators. Today coyotes or dogs would be likely predators but in David’s day, he had to ward off bears and lions. At his young age and small size, a sling shot would have been his best weapon. He didn’t have television or video games to entertain him during the boring times alone with the sheep. So he would have practiced his shot over and over until he was an expert marksman. It says in the Bible that he had killed bear and lions with his sling shot so he knew he was capable of downing the 9 foot Goliath. But even so, what gave David the courage to go up against the giant? Everyone else including David’s older brothers were afraid to challenge him and they were seasoned warriors.

David was prepared for giants in another more important way. Even at his young age, he had developed a strong relationship with God. He had studied the writings of Moses. At the prompting of God, he had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king. Later in his life, David wrote numerous songs that are recorded in the Book of Psalms. His words reflect his confidence in the Lord. “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” His awe of God is exclaimed when he states, “The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” I can visualize the boy, David, staring up at the night sky as his sheep rest beside him conversing with God. He knew the Lord long before his encounter with Goliath. When the moment came for courage, David acknowledged where his strength originated. He explained to King Saul, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” When David approached Goliath with only his staff, his sling and 5 smooth stones, the giant taunted him. But David’s response was direct and confident, “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 hand you over to me…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.”

So what giants are looming on your horizon? All of us have them. Even the children listening to Tim’s story have giants they will face: the bully at school, the tough exam, try-outs for the All Stars. As adults, it seems that our personal “Goliaths” are getting bigger every day. Our success against giants will be determined by how well we prepare. Yes, we must study and practice our skills like David with his sling but ultimately our greatest strength will come through our knowledge of God and our conversations with Him. Our relationship with the Lord gives us the confidence to face our giants even if it appears that we are the underdog. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s!