One of my favourite character stories in the Bible is David. Although there were a number of events that led up to David's fame and popularity, there is probably one story that defined his whole life. It is the story of David's battle with a giant named Goliath. We know the outcome. With a sling and 5 carefully chosen smooth stones and an unshakable confidence in his mighty God, David introduced Goliath and all the Philistine hordes to the Lord of hosts, whose name they had repeatedly blasphemed.

What makes this story stand shoulders above other stories is the fact that within the story we discover two timeless truths of giant warfare. Both are as fitting and relevant today as they were in the days of David and Goliath.

First, prevailing over giants isn't accomplished by simply using methods & techniques that either we or others have embraced. David's greatest piece of armour, the lethal weapon that made him unique and gave him victory was his inner shield of faith. It was that faith that kept him free from fear - or as Chuck Swindoll likes to say, that made him hard of hearing when it came to Goliath's intimidating threats. It was faith that gave him cool composure amid chaos. It was faith that cleared his vision. Fortunately for David, he understood that. Saul, the king, thinking he was helping David, dressed him with the armour that he was comfortable wearing.

"Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. 'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."
(1 Samuel 17:38-40)

Then as he approached Goliath, David said to him,

"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, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.....and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel."
(1 Samuel 17:45-46)

Remember this, that David's faith wasn't in his faith, but posited in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel!

Secondly, conquering giants isn't accomplished without great skill and discipline. We all would like to have a similar experience as David had as we go about fighting our giants, whatever they may be. But we must always keep in mind that to have the success that David had, we must use similar weaponry; that being faith in the Lord God Almighty! Yes, but we must also learn well the skills necessary to enter battle so that God has something to work with. David was comfortable with & skilful in the use of the sling. I'm sure he practiced diligently, day in day out, becoming increasingly accurate. But his faith was not in his skill, albeit essential though it was. But, on the other hand, neither did he presume that faith by itself was all that was required to defeat Goliath. As he was nearing the giant, he drew from his bag a stone, placed it carefully in his sling and then slung it and it struck the Philistine on the forehead and that was the end of the giant.

Balance is what is called for in life - for many, our lifetime is spent in amassing great skill and discipline, while neglecting the importance of that spiritual side of our character, faith. For others, they merrily go into battle armed with "faith" but, because they are lacking skill or discipline, they meet with defeat - and they wonder 'why'! Both are needful - faith in the Lord God Almighty and diligence in learning the life & social skills.

And faith is developed and groomed as we daily consciously choose to commit all our life and will to Christ's care and control. If you have never done that, why not take a few moments right now and make that decision: let Him know that you are serious in allowing Him to become the "driver" of your "bus" - your life!

You will be glad you did!