What if David when he had approached the giant Goliath had walked up to fight him instead of running into battle? The Bible says that “as Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.” (1 Sam 17:48)
I think the fact that David run at Goliath was part of his success. He’d made a decision, and ran to achieve it.
“And that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground”. (1 Samuel 17:47-49)
David knew that this battle was the Lord’s. He knew that even youths run out of strength, but that God gives both power and strength. David knew how to run; he knew how to fight in God’s ability and not just his own. That’s what gave David the winning edge.
The bible says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize”. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
How are you running your race? Are you running or plodding through life? Are you trying to fight the “giant’s” in your life with God’s strength or just your own?
If we want to be runners and not plodders, to be fighters and not victims, to be overcomers instead of the overcome, we have to know why we are running, whom we are fighting, and how we overcome.
David knew that the battle was the Lord’s, he’d practiced this battle in smaller ways, He knew who his enemy was. He knew God would be with Him because he’d spent time connecting with God. He knew God had a purpose for his life and had gone before him. He was simply running straight towards God’s plan for his life.
Paul knew the race that God had set for him when he said we are all runners, and to run our race focused on the prize – Jesus and His plan and purpose for our lives. (1 Cor 9:24)
Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us “God gives power to the faint and to those who have no might he increases strength”.
We are made to run, we are made to climb on the heights, and we are made to soar.
And we are made to do it well, and strong and with endurance until the finish.
God has given us all the capacity to be “spiritual marathon runners, to be giant slayers, to soar and stand on the heights, and we even have a great cloud of witnesses in heaven cheering us on! (Hebrews 12:1)
I encourage you to start flexing your faith muscles; to see yourself running at your giants, and having the victory.
When you feel feeble and fearful-hearted:
Know that God is before you leading the way.
Keep focused on Jesus and not the giants of your life.
Keep your hope in the Lord, turning your face towards Him whenever you are feeling weary, remembering He promises to increase our strength and power.
Prayer: Lord help me to run, and not to be fearful or feel like giving up because you are with me. Help me to keep looking ahead so that I will fulfill the purpose and plan for my life. Thank you that you give me strength, consistency and endurance. In Jesus Name Amen.
Comments