Frame of Mind: 1 Samuel 17:41-51

We cannot lose when we fight God’s battle as His implement in His hand.  Easier said than done, of course.  Before fighting God’s battle, we need to discern God’s will.  Then we need to accept God’s outcome, which is probably different than our own.  Finally, we need to stay focused and humble.

David marches out to meet Goliath armed with a sling and hits wits.  Goliath had all his armor in addition to a shield bearer.  Fortunately, David also walked onto the battlefield with God.  God is the one who makes all the difference.

Had the battle closed to melee, Goliath should have easily won.  He had armor and weapons.  Even if David hit him, David would have hurt himself more than Goliath because of his armor.  The only chance David had of victory, should the battle close to melee, is if Goliath were to trip and wound himself.

If David stayed out of Goliath’s throwing range, which was small compared to his own range with the sling because of the javelin’s weight, David couldn’t lose.  Even within the javelin’s range, Goliath only had one javelin and it’s not hard for a spry youth to twist or jump out of the way of a javelin thrown at distance in one-on-one combat.  Goliath will get tired far more quickly because of all the armor.  So long as David avoids the melee, he can’t lose.

The problem isn’t David avoiding defeat.  The problem is accomplishing victory.  These are seldom the same problem. 

David has plenty of practice with his sling.  He’s used it effectively against lions and bears.  Yet, Goliath is a huge man with armor covering his vulnerable spots.  David can avoid losing all day, but he needs help winning.

When Goliath challenges David and asks if he is a dog, David reveals his state of mind.  David replies that Goliath challenges him with a javelin and a spear but David challenges Goliath with God.  David tells Goliath that Goliath has defied God.  That portion of David’s speech is the key to his mindset.  David isn’t using God as a mantra.  David isn’t trying to force God to support his plan.  David is walking out as an implement in God’s hand.  Goliath defied God, and God has called David to be His weapon of justice. 

David isn’t following David’s plan.  David is following God’s plan.  God enables David to throw a stone at Goliath and end the battle with a single attempt.  David gets glory for following God.  God gets the greater glory for being the power making the victory possible.

When we implement our own plans, sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail.  When we take the time to humble ourselves, discern God’s plan, and then follow the plan, we cannot fail.  We cannot lose when we fight God’s battle as an implement in God’s hand.