There are few Bible stories that command the attention of children like that of David and Goliath. Their size difference alone makes this a memorable face-off.

We all can get behind David and root for him when we read of his courage. Think of it: There was an entire army of strong men who were older and more experienced in battle than David. Any of them could have chosen to be courageous and face this taunting giant. But they did not. They chose to stand fearful and silent, allowing Goliath to blaspheme Israel and their God for forty days straight (talk about wasted time!).

Enter David, who was simply running an errand and stumbles onto the scene. I can just picture it: “Hey guys! Here are your sandwiches mom made. Why do you all look so scared?” When they told him, his response is just awesome: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).

Though David immediately volunteered to fight, Saul discouraged him when he saw how young he was: “Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (verse 33).

The Marks of an Overcomer

Here are some qualities of this young overcomer:

1) He recalled God’s faithfulness to him in past battles – no, he had not fought or killed any men before. But God had empowered him to kill both a lion and bear that had come against his father’s sheep. He had shown courage and seen victory then, and he would see victory now.

2) He knew his success came from the Lord – He didn’t try to impress Saul with his own strength. Instead, he simply pointed to God’s strength: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (verse 37).

3) He used the weapons God had given him and didn’t try to be someone he wasn’t – Saul tried to put his own armor on David. David shook it off and got some stones and a sling – weapons he was confident in using.

4) He didn’t care what people thought about him– about his size, his choice of weapons, or his choice to fight. Let them stand around, tremble in fear, and grumble about all the reasons they couldn’t possibly win this fight. He didn’t care; He was going to DO something.

5) He put his confidence in God and trusted in God to win the battle – His words declared where he put his faith: “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… 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.”

By Our God, We Will Overcome

What giant stands mocking you daily about your inadequacies to take ground that God himself has determined to give to you? What has you standing in fear or dread, unable to move forward as a result? Where are you stalling spiritually because of the bullying of an enemy – internally or externally?

Unfortunately, like the army of Israel, we often accept defeat before the battle has begun. Often, the greatest battle is in our own minds. Do any of these thoughts sound familiar:

“It’s just how I am. I’ve always been this way. What’s the use in trying to change?”

“I could never break this habit. It’s just to hard.”

“I’ll never succeed at _______. I’m too (old/young/inexperienced/fill in the blank).”

Me and my girls are memorizing Romans 8. The whole chapter is a brilliant message of triumphant truth, but one verse in particular is worthy of our mediation today:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

The God of the Universe is for you. He is on your side. This truth David knew well.

Go forth in confidence today that He will enable you day by day to overcome your fears and slay your giants. The battle is not yours alone – it is the Lord’s.