View Obstacles As Opportunities Not Roadblocks by Robert Socha

As a Church, collectively in these United States, perhaps we look at things from the perspective of an underdog. The philosophy I hope to embrace is the victory in Christ! 1 Corinthian’s 15:57 states, “but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sometimes we see obstacles in our lives, and we think that our enemies have the upper hand because they are the aggressor. There might be some validity to the deceptive tactics the old diluter uses to keep us from embracing our position in Christ, for a wild animal is most ferocious when it knows it is about to die. With the hostile rhetoric toward Biblical values, it is understandable that we keep our thoughts and ideas about what is good and true hidden within the walls of our churches or our homes. Who wants to be yelled, cursed, and screamed at because their standards are not in line with the politically correct? Remember, the Truth is we are the victors in Christ. I want that Truth to penetrate our spirits today and encourage our souls as we explore the following account of an ancient battle.

Please take some encouragement from a recreation of the contest between David and Goliath. What if David isn’t the underdog in this battle? I would encourage you to read it in 1 Samuel 17; nevertheless, here is my summary:

The Israeli and Philistine armies were on opposite sides of the valley of Elah. Traversing the valley to engage the enemy created an impasse because the entire time it would take to cross the valley and come up on the other side, the forces which advanced would face a terrible onslaught. Many lives would be lost, giving the enemy the upper hand. Consequently, the Philistines were not willing to be the first to cross the valley, and the Israelites, defending their land, were not inclined to initiate either. Therefore, the Philistines engaged in a well-known strategy of the age, where the armies would send out their champions who would fight on behalf of the troops. The victor of the hand-to-hand combat would be the victorious army, thereby saving countless men’s lives.

Enter Goliath, a massive man of 9 feet tall with the strength to wield a 60 to 100-pound spear while wearing a coat of armor that weighed approximately 124 pounds. He was intimidating, and he challenged Israel to meet him one-on-one in the field of battle, the loser’s country becoming the slaves of the victor.

No one in Israel was willing to meet Goliath. They all cowered in their tents because they thought they were required to meet Goliath on his terms. Not even King Saul would engage that man. For 40 days, Goliath would taunt the armies of Israel, and when Goliath came to mock, the armies of Israel would hide, no man having the courage to fight.

One day, David is asked by his father, Jesse, to take some food to the battlefield, check in on his brothers, and bring back an account of the battle. While David is in Israel’s camp, he learns of Goliath’s taunts and the fear it has instilled! Just then, David is an eyewitness when Goliath comes and ridicules the armies of Israel. Incredulous, he makes the declaration: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that should defy the armies of the living God?”

Word of this declaration gets to King Saul, and he invites David into his tent. Saul agrees to allow David to fight the giant but insists that he wear his armor. Because armor was tailor-made, it is unfit, cumbersome, and clumsy when David tries it on. David retorts that he will not fight on that level; he has killed lions and bears defending his father’s sheep, and the Lord will undoubtedly give this Philistine into his hand. He tells the people of Israel not to lose heart. It is a tremendous act of courage and confidence in the Lord his God.

The armies of Israel thought they had to send one man to fight Goliath on his terms, in a suit of armor, with a mighty spear, man-to-man. David had another idea. An expert slingshot, he ran toward the field of battle, picking up five smooth stones, never intending to fight on Goliath’s terms. The marksmen slingshot in this time could hit a bird in flight, potentially with the power of a bullet.

Goliath is insulted and angry, thinking the Israelites consider him a dog to come at him with sticks because David is small and not armored. He moves to meet David on the field of battle, except David takes one of those stones, and as he is running to meet Goliath, he slings the rock into the giant’s forehead, between the eyes, and kills him. The champion doesn’t turn around to celebrate like a boxer who has just knocked out his opponent in a Rocky film; David runs up to Goliath’s corpse and ensures there is no chance of resurrection, takes the enemy’s sword, and chops off its head. David went into his battle knowing full well he had the tactical advantage and knowing full well the Lord of Glory would also fight for him and deliver the enemy into his hands.

Emboldened by this decisive victory, Israel’s armies pursued their enemies and struck them down where they found them, solidifying Israel’s conquest.

Would that we the Church be emboldened by Calvary’s completed work, pick up five smooth stones, the Word of God, slinging the Truth, pursue our enemies and proclaim victory!