March 2, 2022 - 1 Samuel 17-20

When accused of being foolish for volunteering against Goliath, David replied, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (17:37). David understood that God, who had been faithful to him in the past, had not changed; God would deliver him, again.

“Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them” (17:38-39). Victory over God’s and our enemies will not be achieved by merely human effort and planning.

David responded to Goliath’s taunts: “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head . . . for the battle is the Lord’s” (17:45-47).

Of course, there is much more, here – Saul’s jealousy of David, Jonathan’s friendship – and through it all, the Lord delivered David. We can also trust David’s God, and ours, to deliver us.

The battle is the Lord’s!

Stand still, my soul, and view

the great salvation of God has wrought,

revealed for you.

Then, resting in his might,

lift high his triumph song,

for pow’r, dominion, kingdom, strength

to God belong! -- Edith Margaret Clarkson (1960)