There's a battle going on right this moment, according to my Yahoo home page.  A battle for life and death in a mall on the other side of the world in Nairobi, Kenya.  It's frightful.  It's terrifying, really.  To try to imagine what it might be like for those who thought they would just stop by the mall, as they may have done hundreds of times.  Instead, they find themselves caught in the crossfire between good and evil.  Their lives in the balance between life and death.  

That is pretty much what happened to David in 1 Samuel 17, as we have been discussing.  Although David knew he was sent on an errand to a battlefield, I don't imagine he had an inkling that he would take center stage.  That he would go from courier and bystander to the point man for all of Israel.  Life and death.  If you were to boil it down to good and evil, it was God's chosen people, the Israelis, and their enemy, the Philistines.  

Today, we chew on the climax.  If this were a movie, the music would swell to crescendo.  Because today, we will wrap this little series on David from 1 Samuel 17 with the most amazing part of the story.  There have been several pivot points thus far, such as David volunteering to fight.  Refusing the king's armor.  Getting in his own clothes, owning his own weapons.  

Today is the face off.  And, oh, I believe it is rich with encouragement if we just take the time to mine the treasures.  

1.  Read 1 Samuel 17:41-44.  We have seen how Goliath trash talked.  So well, in fact, that even after 40 days of doing it night and day, he STILL has the entire Israeli army on the run in retreat.  But, here, Goliath takes a look at little David.  And he is disgusted. He does not like what he sees.  These verses tell us that he looked David over and he despised him.  Gave him the ole stink eye.  Hated him. Cursed him by his own gods.  Offered to give up David's flesh to feed the birds and animals. 

Gulp.  

We've already begged the question throughout this series, but it bears repeating.  What are the giants you are facing?  How impossible do they seem?  Do they mock you?  Does a little voice in your head seem to despise you, tearing you down with ridicule?  Do you feel as though you will be devoured by your circumstances?  

Listen.  Picture yourself face-to-face and toe-to-toe with those circumstances or people who oppose you.  They are staring you down.  They are a giant with a shield bearer in front of them even.  Reinforcements, so to speak.  That's how big and bad they are. They have a height advantage and a propensity to trash talk us like no one's business.  When it comes to intimidation, they win the gold medal.  

As you stare them down--these giants in your life-- and as you approach the battle, do you stop in your tracks?  Are you defeated before the battle even begins because the odds seem so impossible? 

Let's take a look at David.

2. Read 1 Samuel 17:45-47.   There's an alternative response here, bloggy friends.  Offered by example from a tiny shepherd boy.  Chosen by God.  Anointed by Him for unique purposes.  Filled and equipped by the Spirit of God.  

JUST LIKE WE ARE. 

If you were to compare yourself to David, you'd find that you are starting your battle with very much the same resources.  David didn't come to battle with any secret weapon that you don't have yourself.  Let me say that again.  Whatever battle you are entering, you have the exact same secret weapons that David had.  Except maybe a slingshot.  But, you have the same Big God on your side.  You have been anointed by Him for unique purposes.  If you are a Christ follower, then you have been filled and equipped by the Spirit of God.  Whatever your mundane, boring, unglamorous daily life--you are no different than David.  

So, can we respond like David?  Can we look to our giant, no matter how insurmountable it seems and respond to the defeating taunts like David did. "Oh yeah?  BUT, I come in the power of the Lord Almighty.  And that is more than enough."

Are we so intimately walking with our Lord, so acquainted and sure of his power, that we know we are overcomers?  Can we stand firm on the promise that although in this world we may have troubles, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world?  Can we remember that in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us?  Can we know that the power of the Most High God is at our disposal--on our side?  Can we believe that this is more than enough?  

That is what it boils down to.  Belief.  That the same God who parted the seas, spoke all that is from nothing, calmed the storms, shut the lion's mouths, defeated the giant Goliath, and conquered sin and death is OUR God.  He is on our side.  He fights our battles.  He reigns victorious.  

And He lives in you.  No, my dear friend, you never face any battle alone.  You have the power of all heaven fighting for you.

3.  1 Samuel 17:48.  Oh, how I love this verse.  It makes me want to squeal with delight.  I mean, read the verse slowly.