Prepare – 1 Samuel 17:4-11
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Devotional
Goliath was massive, standing over nine feet tall. We learn from these few verses that every time Goliath would step out from his ranks, the entire Israelite Army was petrified and for a good reason! He was dressed and equipped with a helmet made of bronze, a coat of armor weighing 125 pounds, protective greaves (leg armor extending from below the knee down), a bronze javelin strapped to his back, and a spear that flashed like a flame and weighed between seventeen and eighteen pounds.
What would you do? Every day, twice a day, for 40 days straight, Goliath makes his way down to the valley, all the while, taunting the Israelites. In verse 11, it says they were dismayed (confused, lacking confidence) and terrified!
Standing in the presence of Goliath would have been extremely intimidating. To get around him would have been impossible. He was too big, too strong, and too smart. What giant currently stands in your way? What giant is keeping you from taking another step…in faith? While giants may seem improbable, they are not impossible, that is with God!
~ Pastor Andy Veith
Praise
Watch and listen to “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns and “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Maher.
