Unorthodox Methods and Weapons

UV 3697/10000 Unorthodox Methods and Weapons David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone penetrated his forehead and he fell face down to the ground. I Samuel 17 v 49 David’s absolute faith in God gave him extraordinary courage, strength and tactical wisdom. He volunteered to face Goliath in battle armed only with the name of the Lord God and a sling and a bag of five smooth stones picked up by him from the stream bed. We learn many principles of being victorious in spiritual battles by studying David’s tactics. We should not move within the range of the enemy’s weapons. Prayer is the sling which we can use to bring down the enemy. David’s aim was good coming from years of practice while the guarded the sheep from predators. He aimed for the forehead of Goliath. We, too need to aim for the head, the forehead of the enemy to neutralize him. The five smooth stones are a metaphor for five powerful verses from scripture that we need to use on a regular basis in spiritual warfare. David was provoked by the taunt and insults hurled at the Israelite army by Goliath. He took up gauntlet or challenge posed by Goliath and immediately volunteered to fight him. David did not let his young age, his lack of experience in fighting, the disparaging remarks of his own elder brothers discourage him or deflect him from the challenge. He used unorthodox methods to fight an unconventional enemy- a giant. He knew that a God-inspired ant can take on an elephant and bring it down. He was not fearful of the giant but approached him with indomitable courage. He saw the end from the beginning- the death of Goliath, the defeat of the army of the Philistines by the Israelite army. His earlier experiences or testimonies of how God had saved him from the paws of a bear and a lion powered him to believe God will rescue him from the hand of the giant. He declared that the battle is the Lord’s and that he is only a foot soldier in His army. Some of the lessons we can learn from the actual conflict or fight with Goliath is that we need to not let the enemy use his strengths against us. We should operate out of our natural strengths, skills and gifts but depend on the supernatural grace of the Lord to secure victory. After bringing down Goliath with a stone,David ran swiftly to Goliath and used Goliath’s sword to decapitate him before the latter’s shield bearer or any other Philistine could come to his rescue. We should use the enemy’s strengths and weapons against him eventually. Before volunteering for this high risk operation, David asked his brothers and others, “ What will be done to the one who kills Goliath?” He was motivated by the reward offered- great riches would be given by the king, his daughter’s hand would be given in marriage to him, his father’s house would be free from taxes and service. He found he was hampered by the heavy sword and armour given to him by king Saul. He quickly realized that he was not used to these weapons and he should rather rely on his shepherd’s weapons- the sling. He carried the shepherd’s staff to deceive Goliath into thinking he was going to fight him with a stick. But he had his secret weapon- the sling and stones for which Goliath was not prepared. We too need to keep our weapon of reliance secret and a surprise to the enemy. Victory was secured by David through a combination of faith, courage, confidence, skills, common sense, strategy and motivation. Success or victory will never elude a man who uses such a vital combination of resources, experience, attitudes and skills.