Control
The story of David & Goliath could be described as a Biblical classic. This iconic confrontation between the giant warrior and shepherd boy is legendary.
The imagery is powerful and evocative: ‘Giants’ can be slayed by smaller, seemingly less significant people.
As a child I loved the original Star Wars movies. The story of Luke Skywalker and the rebels defeating the mighty Darth Vader and the Empire is a ‘David & Goliath’ story. There is something uplifting about the underdog defeating the large ominous enemy.
The Bible says that for forty days Goliath came forward every morning and evening and took his stand and said…
“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 let 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.”
The Philistines sent out their champion to taunt the Israelites. Goliath was a giant, literally, about 9 feet tall, and he wore magnificent armour and carried a large spear and shield. He must have been very intimidating!
He challenged the Israelites to a one-on-one dual, with him, and whoever won would mean victory for their side, enslaving the losers.
This went on for nearly six weeks! What was going on? Why did the Israelites listen to him? Why did they not attack in another way?
I believe it was because Goliath was controlling the situation. His presence and rhetoric gripped the Israelites with fear and paralysed them.
David arrived fresh on the scene and saw things differently. He was unaffected by what Goliath said and with divine help and courage, he defeated the giant in an unexpected way.
Being controlled by somebody is very unpleasant and can lead to fear and paralysis. It can feel like an imposing giant! Control can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. As a Pastor, I have seen the effects of ‘control’ on people and it’s wrong and unpleasant.
The story of ‘David & Goliath’ does give us hope! ‘Giants’ can be defeated. If you are under any form of control, I pray that you will have a ‘David moment’. May there be…
some form of intervention that sees the situation differently
divine help (often through prayer)
courage to tackle the problem
breakthrough and freedom from whatever ‘giant’ it may be
God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader