Imagine for a moment that you’re in ancient Israel, a nation being led by its first king. His army is strong, but his forces are at a stalemate, stuck in a face-off with an aggressive Philistine army. You hear the enemy has a warrior estimated to be over nine feet tall. He boasts of victory even before an arrow has been fired. Your heart sinks to observe the fear on the faces of your own soldiers. Yet strategically, it’s all to play for. The two opposing armies hold similar positions, camped on hillsides facing each other, with a flat valley like a football pitch separating the two. Neither side wants to give up their advantage. To launch the first attack could risk exposing their ranks to a fight with an army which has the higher ground.
To add to the pressures upon Israel’s king, the Philistine’s towering warrior issues a challenge (or contract). One designed to avoid the slaughter of many lives. It still involved a fight to the death, but instead of the whole army paying the ultimate price, a selected warrior would fight in hand-to-hand combat. Should their warrior lose, rather than fighting, the army would surrender to the winning side. Conveniently for the Philistines, their warrior is an impressive champion of oversized proportions. Even if the entire earth were surveyed, it would likely come up empty in the search for a suitable opponent.
Of course you know the story. David, a young man whose job it was to look after sheep, finds a righteous anger being kindled in his heart against the Philistine. His response of bravery stands out in contrast to an Israelite army cowering in fear. David, in answer to this fear later writes “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me” Psalm 24:4. Maybe David was thinking about this moment where he descended the hill into the valley to take on Goliath? A nine foot man would certainly cast a large shadow! From the perspective of onlookers, David was walking into a place of deep darkness and certain death.
When David went to face Goliath in the ultimate duel, what did David take with him? We know that rejecting the king’s armour, David had with him stones and a sling. Did you know that he also took with him a rod and staff? This is why Goliath asks “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” (1 Samuel 17:43). The rod, a type of wooden club (a useful defence to keep wild animals away from the sheep he was protecting), would have been attached to his belt. His staff (a long wooden crook) was used to guide his sheep to stay to track. It was also handy for hooking them out when they get into any bother. How is it that David can fear no evil in this moment with Goliath? The right path (Psalm 24:3) that God has led him into is one where where David is required to face up to this deep darkness. There’s no going around this one. David is comforted because he carries with him God’s tools. It’s a reassurance that God has not only given him what he needs in that moment, God is also present helping David to use those tools. Surely God would protect and provide for David in this perilous moment. Therefore fear has no basis of power over David. Instead, expectant of what God will do, David can approach the situation with a confidence that can look the giant in the eye, instead of a fear that shrinks back.
Faith is something that accepts the challenge, whilst reassuring us that God is present with us and has given us all we need. God gives us a great example of what faith is in action. Goliath was too big for David. Goliath’s words were designed to intimidate and make David lose hope. Yet David was not consumed by fear, because he was comforted by God’s presence, knowing God would protect, guide and deliver him. The Good Shepherd had a future for David. This darkest valley was not going to end in disaster, but rather become David’s greatest victory.
In our lives, challenges are inevitably going to stir up feelings of fear. That’s our natural reaction to danger. At such moments we need to remind ourselves who the Lord is. He is our shepherd. He is leading us through. We have all that we need.
If you were inspired by this blog, Paul has written some books that delve deeply into the Psalms. Originally written for young people, these are enjoyed by young and old alike. Each devotion is about a 4 minute read, and is followed by a journalling page or specially designed prayer space to enable the reader further connect with God. Paul studied at Moorlands College for his BA in Applied Theology, and more recently has earned an MA in The Bible and Ministry in the Contemporary world at Belfast Bible College. Paul has served as a Youth Pastor for over 20 years.
________________ Photo of sheep by Joe Green on Unsplash
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