Goliath (Satan) still taunts

By Peter Crause

1Samuel 17:26 And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel; for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

1Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. “

For background to our scripture references, read the entire account in 1 Samuel 17.

A Sunday school song we used to sing went something like this:

Only a boy named David

Only a little sling

Only a boy named David

But he could pray and sing

Only a boy named David

Only a rippling brook

Only a boy named David and five little stones he took

One little stone went into the sling

And the sling went round and round

One little stone went into the sling

And the sling went round and round

Round and round and round and round

And round and round and round

One little prayer went up to God

And the giant came tumbling down

This is a very well known and loved story in the life of David. So much can be learnt from this account that applies to our spiritual lives. Today I want to emphasize the enemy and how to defeat him. “Goliath” is still roaring and challenging the “armies” of God – and many are still living in terror like Israel when they encounter this “giant”.

Two major points emerge from the story:

- The enemy defies the armies of God. He has the gall to actually think he will win. His pride has so corrupted him that he thinks he should be ruler of the universe in place of the Lord. He comes against God’s people – roaring his threats and appearing big and powerful.

- Like David we come against him in the Name of the Lord. In appearance our enemy looks mightier than we are; he seems better equipped and experienced than we are – and if we go against him in our own wisdom and might, these facts are true – but “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

Young David had proved the sustaining power of the Lord over enemies that threatened his flocks. He killed a lion and a bear. He didn’t need Saul’s armor and weapons – he had the Name of the Lord and a simple sling. What was a sling against such a formidable enemy? What could a simple stone accomplish against this giant? Goliath challenged the people of God with taunting; boasting of his prowess – terrifying them with his stature – he was huge! But David had his eyes on the Almighty. He had his mind set on the covenant of God with His people. He never looked at the outward and seemingly hopelessness of the situation. The giant’s challenge went on deaf ears. The reward offered by King Saul meant nothing. He was jealous for his God!

Exactly who did Goliath think he was to “defy the armies of the living God?” How dare he? He was “uncircumcised” and definitely not under the covenant of God. He had no right to say anything. His so called “power” was so insignificant against the God of Israel. David said: “I come in the Name of the Lord!”

The enemy we face as God’s people is no different today. He taunts and challenges us. He curses and accuses us. He tries to make us believe he is all powerful. He questions God’s Word and His faithfulness:

- Who’s going to help you now?

- Look at my might and armor, you cannot harm me!

- I’m far more experienced in battle than you.

- I’ll kill you and cause you much hurt

- I, I, I, me, me, me – what an egotist! What fullness of self! What a liar!

Listen child of God; he may look powerful and awesome; but he is defying the “armies of the living God”. He is taunting just as he did in Goliath many centuries ago. He still is an “uncircumcised Philistine” and has no right or power over God’s people. Don’t face him in your own might or wisdom – face him “in the Name of the Lord” – show him your trust is in God and His word. A mere “slingshot” will bring him to his knees. Don’t run in fear – no one who has ever taunted the Living God has won. No child of God who has trusted in the all sufficiency of the power of God has lost! Satan’s taunts are nothing but smokescreens – shields behind which he hides. He has been defeated once for all by the Lord Jesus at Calvary. We are in Christ and under His covenant – nothing can harm you! When he comes with his taunts and lies; face him boldly in the name of the Lord and he will come crashing down.

Satan feeds on your fear. He fears and flees from your faith – put you trust in the Lord, resist Satan and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU IN TERROR!