Daily Devotional

Who is not inspired by the account of the shepherd, David, slaying the seasoned, giant warrior Goliath!  David did not shrink in fear before giant Goliath! David knew that God was bigger and more powerful than a mere giant! I love the declaration that David shouted to Goliath before he slung the stone.

We all are faced with Goliath Battles from time to time. Your giant might be finances or a broken marriage or even a physical battle with disease or injury. Even our children may be in a battle with a Goliath such as problems at home, difficulties in learning or facing a bully.
 
I still remember vividly one of my Goliath Battles that happened years ago. I was on the way to drop off my friend at her home. My three daughters were in the back seat chatting away as we drove through the sleepy town of Scotts Valley, where my uncle was the Chief of Police.

I came to a stop before the crosswalk and waited for a pedestrian. He was dressed all in white.  He walked to the front of my van and stopped between my two headlights. Turning to look at me, he raised a gun. I could see the shape of the barrel now pointed towards me and my daughters seated behind me. The gunman screamed, “You’re all gonna die!”  I held my breath and prayed, “Oh God!” My van was trapped on the left by a concrete barrier, a car on the right and a car behind me. Do I run him over?

Just as my mind raced for an escape, the gunman waved the gun towards the car to my right and stepped towards it. Immediately, I stomped on the accelerator and sped to the nearest gas station.  Screeching to a halt, I jumped from the van and raced to the phone in the office. (No cell phone in those days!)

Yelling to people in the gas station office that there was a gunman on the loose, I called 911. It was busy! I called again—busy! Turning to look at my van, in horror, I saw the gunman across the street, walking towards the gas station. Multiple police were stalking behind him. My kids and friend are right in his path! In a panic, I raced to my van, jumped in and sped away to safety.

A couple hours later, while listening to the news, I learned that the gunman had stolen the car that had been parked next to mine. He led the police on a chase through the small town and onto the freeway—until he ran out of gas. A shoot-out with the police resulted in a police dog being shot and, consequently, the gunman shot to death. As I emotionally processed this terrifying event over the next few days, I was so very thankful God was with us through it all. Fortunately, my kids were not fully aware of all that was happening.  

Since this event, I have had other Goliath Battles—not quite so dramatic, thankfully—but battles nonetheless.  We live in a sin-sick world and look forward to the day we are delivered from the presence of sin in Heaven. Whatever Goliath Battles you or your kids face, whether you are delivered here on Earth or end up with the Lord in Heaven, God is always with you (cf. Matthew 28:20). He is bigger and mightier than any giant. Thus, we can say what David said to his giant:

1 Samuel 17:47 “…for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”