Articles
David’s Influence
We often think of David killing Goliath, but he accomplished something much greater than that.
Consider what Israel was like when David was a youth and the Philistines attacked. The giant, Goliath, taunted Israel and mocked God. No one stood to fight him. No one defended God’s honor. Instead, Saul and his army were “dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11). This scene played out day after day, again and again. While the giant took his stand (1 Samuel 17:19) the army of God fled from him and was greatly afraid (1 Samuel 17:24). Desperate, Saul sought to bribe his warriors to stand and fight. He offered great riches and even his daughter’s hand in marriage. Still, no one was found who would face this giant.
Saul wore a crown, but he wasn’t the king the nation needed. Cowardice coursed through his veins, and that, in turn, had influenced the entire nation.
David was different. He wasn’t a soldier or royalty, but he was exactly what the nation needed. David stood up while others fled. Faith and courage coursed through his veins. He needed no armor. He only needed God. Initially no one believed in David. Saul didn’t (1 Samuel 17:33). David’s brothers didn’t (1 Samuel 17:28). Goliath certainly didn’t (1 Samuel 17:42-43). David didn’t listen to them, nor did he behave like everyone else. Even seeing the giant, he did not flee. Instead, he stood. He fought. He won. This was what Israel needed. Not a king, but a leader.
Now compare the state of Israel at the end of David’s life. There is a noticeable contrast. Instead of a nation of cowards, we are given a list of thirty-seven mighty men – brave men who would stand alone and fight off the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:9-12). Three men were courageous enough to sneak into a Philistine military camp just to get David a cup of water (2 Samuel 23:13-17). Like their king, they did not fear the Philistines. David’s influence is even more noticeable in another passage where it speaks of the four mighty children of Goliath. These descendents were not killed by David, but by David’s servants (2 Samuel 21:18-22).
Previously, no one would face a giant. At the end of David’s life, that had changed.
David conquered more than a giant; he conquered the cowardice of a nation. The nation that thought they needed a king actually needed a leader who would inspire them to greatness.
Nothing has changed today. The world needs leaders. Families need leaders. Churches need leaders. We need people that will set the example and inspire others to courageous acts. We need Christians who will take a stand for truth. We need Christians who will defy the nations of the world, who will stand when others flee, who will not back down while others doubt and mock.
Will you be a leader? Will you be the example that others rally behind and are encouraged by? You won’t accomplish this by being like everyone else. You won’t get there by listening to the naysayers. But if we are instead filled with faith and courage, we can really make a difference in the world, at home, and in the churches.
