David & Goliath

1 Samuel 17

We all love a good underdog story. Sports and entertainment thrive on narratives where the rag-tag losers overcome those expected to win. Our text from today may seem cliche.

Let’s take a moment to divorce the story of David and Goliath from its associations with modern entertainment. More than this is a story about an underdog having victory; it’s a story about how God uses unlikely people for big things. And ultimately, it’s also a story that foreshadows the victory of Jesus over evil.

David’s victory over Goliath points to Jesus’ victory over evil.

Israel’s rescue from the Philistines points to our rescue from sin.

We know from the narrative of scripture that God calls unlikely people to partner with him. God fills the gap when we can’t accomplish a calling on our own power and gives us grace when we fail. Where David was inadequate, God made victory possible. We can be confident that he will do that for us, too.

While this is an important truth, we shouldn’t necessarily read ourselves into the story as David, the God-fearing underdog. It is important to remember that this story isn’t necessarily about us. And even if we were to read ourselves into it, it’s only fair to see ourselves in Goliath, too. Have you ever opposed God? Have you ever been prideful? All of us have. Whatever it looked like in our stories, we’ve defied God and his kingdom somehow.

Just like Goliath taunts Israel, evil and sin taunt us. It threatens us. We are coerced by its power to fear it.

But just as a lowly shepherd stepped in on behalf of Israel to conquer Goliath, the Good Shepherd, Jesus, has stepped in to rescue us. Jesus is the new David.

Are you feeling powerless? Take it to the Good Shepherd. Ask him to face it.

Jesus says this in John 10:14-15

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Whatever sin and pain you today, take it to the Good Shepherd. He has laid down his life for you. He knows you. He wants to fight your battle.