The Giant-Killer

The story of David and Goliath is more than a narrative about a young shepherd boy and a fearsome giant; it points to something greater.¹ This is more than a story meant to encourage us to face our greatest challenges face on with boldness.

For forty days, the Philistine's exalted champion came out morning and evening to taunt and threaten God's chosen people. And for forty days, the people of God cowered at the sight of this 9'9" beast. No one dared, or was even able, to challenge this armor-clad giant. That is until David showed up. David, humble shepherd from the fields, soon to be anointed king, put an end to the 40-day challenge.²

Just like Jesus did.³

For forty days Jesus was tempted by the devil, but at the end of this 40-day challenge, He threw the fatal blow and stood victorious against the enemy's temptations. What Adam failed to do - and what we daily fail to do - Jesus did.

You see, wrapped in this narrative is a mystery, a story hidden from before the ages about God's plan and purpose for His people. In it is the story of a coming shepherd-king who would defeat our greatest enemy: Sin and Death along with Satan and his forces.⁴ Out of this military account, played out before our eyes, comes a view into redemption's story: a boastful tyrant, a defeated people, and God's chosen victor who would lead His people (the church victorious) in the path of Christ the Victor. The story of David's triumph is bigger than us and our personal struggles - and yet it sees and speaks to our deepest challenges.

We should consider caution when identifying with or claiming this account as our own: "I am David and my current challenge is Goliath." It is important that know that our victory, our overcoming, the conquering of our deepest problems, is found in who we are. We are united with Jesus - our identity is wrapped up with Him. And from that place we are more than conquerors; from that place we are overcomers -

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.⁵

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”⁶

The triumphant banner flying over us is the sure and steadfast love of Jesus.

We all face challenges and the story of David and Goliath comes to us to point us to the Giant-Killer, our source of strength, our battle-ready captain, the one who breaks the path of victory open before us: Jesus, the resurrected One.⁷ We who are weak are more than conquerors because of the one is strong. Our victory is sure because His victory is won.

And that victory covers us, His people, His protected bride, you and me.⁸

References

¹ Matthew 12:6, 41, 42 -

v6: I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

v41: and now something greater than Jonah is here.   

v42: and now something greater than Solomon is here.

² 1 Samuel 17 - The story of David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17

³ Luke 24:44 - He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴ 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵ Romans 8:37

⁶ John 16:33

⁷ Hebrews 12:2 - keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

⁸ Ephesians 1:22 - And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and he gave him to the church as head over all things.