All of my life there has been a constant battle between science and the Bible. The stories of the Old Testament especially were always under attack. One pastor; of a denominational church; refused to talk about the Bible. He believed it to be merely a book of mythology. He was my boss for three years and we never once had a discussion about the WORD of God. He was skilled in using the lectionary for his weekly 10 minute “sermon.” He would recap the reading; add a reference from a commentary; throw in a few jokes and do it all from memory; never believing a word that he preached. To him the Bible was just a book of fables and children’s stories. The story of David and Goliath was no different than the story of Jack and the beanstalk; in his mind. My college professors in the seventies were the same; devout atheists; discrediting the WORD of God and religion at every opportunity. In our society; it has become a trend to discredit God and the Bible.
Last summer, 2010, archeological finds have stopped the mouths of the scoffers and the story of Goliath has now come to life in the 21st Century. In the first six books of the Bible, there are references to Giants. Here are some photos from last summer’s archeological find.
When the WORD of God, the Bible makes a statement, we need to believe it. We can site this archeological find and others; along with historical writings and prove that the Bible is truly the WORD of God. A linguist theologian could dispel every seemingly contradiction as a matter of mistranslation. These are so few that it is ridiculous to even think that someone would use those few errors as a platform to discredit the Bible, when 99.99% of all scripture is accurately translated and 100% of the Bible is infallible and above contradiction. But if you are relying upon logic and external reassurances; that is great and you can prove the Bible. However, the greatest proof of the Bible is the WORD of God living within you. When you pray the Bible and the scriptures move your heart and God speaks directly to you through His WORD; then there is a real foundation of faith.
Every day, God speaks to me through His WORD; usually through scriptures that have been in my heart for forty plus years! The power of God through the Holy Ghost, lives inside of me; praying in tongues and worshipping in tongues is a daily experience for me. No one can tell me that this is not real. God has miraculously healed me and rescued me from death twice. When doctors have given up and sent me home to die, God has stepped in. I live in miracles! God has worked in my heart since the age of four years old. The stories come alive of ten year old Samuel talking to God; the LORD calling David, as young as twelve years old; along with Daniel and his four friends who were about the same age; and the crowning example of our LORD Himself at age twelve, confounding the religious scholars. GOD WORKS WITH YOUTH!
Luke 2:42 KJV And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (49) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Our story continues with the challenge of Goliath. He was nine feet tall and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds and his spearhead weighed 15 pounds. Image how strong a man would have to be to ware 125 pounds of armor! This giant taunted Israel to fear and trembling; defying the armies of Israel.
1 Samuel 17:10-11 KJV And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. (11) When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
Now during this time, Jesse’s three sons were in the army and their youngest brother David would run food and messages between Jesse and David’s older brothers. One day David was taking some food to his brothers and Goliath came out as was his daily custom; to taunt Israel. A man asked David if he had seen the giant; and then explained; that because the men were so demoralized by Goliath, Saul offered a handsome reward to anyone who would kill the giant.
1 Samuel 17:25 “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”
Because David was asking questions about the Giant, this got back to Saul and he summoned David. He told Saul that he would fight the giant and the king’s reply was; “That’s ridiculous!” David persisted and Saul finally said; “Go ahead.” Saul offered his armor, but David couldn’t use it. He went up against Goliath with his sling shot and the power of the LORD. Goliath was infuriated.
1 Samuel 17:41-50 NLT (41) Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, (42) sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. (43) “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. (44) “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
(45) David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (46) Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! (47) And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
(48) As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. (49) Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
(50) So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. (51) Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
This was a huge victory for Israel and even more so for David. This was his turning point! No longer would he be just the shepherd boy who lived in Saul’s shadow. Now he would become the most respected warrior in Israel and son in-law to the king. One day and one event turned the table for David. The LORD still works that way in our lives today. The LORD still fights the battles of His people. He will give you and me victory over our Giants! Maybe your giant is cancer or some other health issue. Maybe your marriage is falling apart. Maybe you are out of work. Whatever the problem is, The Holy Ghost is bigger. You are the temple of the Holy Ghost; if you have repented, been baptized in Jesus’ name and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
A youth facing down a giant and then killing him was a miracle. We need to believe in miracles; expect miracles and wait on the LORD for miracles. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever!
Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank you for the Holy Ghost which resides in me. Thank you for fighting my giants. Lead me LORD in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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