Goliath's Echo

Goliath was a Philistine, a member of a group that was hostile towards the God of Israel. Giants were present in those days and Goliath stood at a towering 9 feet 6 inches. Their war tactics were aggressive and bloody, intimidating their neighbors. But a line was crossed… he mocked the warning that the God of Heaven is the One who wins our battles. Seeing David approach with a slingshot, he mocked, “Am I a dog that you come to me with a stick? And the Philistine cursed David… Come here, I’ll give your flesh to the birds and animals” (1 Samuel 17:33, 34).

David answered, “You come against me with the sword and the spear and the javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head… and the whole world will know there is a God in Israel… and it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give ALL of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

And the whole world DOES know this story as the Bible has been translated into languages all over the world, professing that the God of Israel is a Mighty Force that won’t be mocked, and He defends His chosen people without apology.  

The news today isn’t much different. Although the modern Palestinians are not descendants of the Philistines, their God-hating attitude is the same. They defy the God of Israel, and happily declare there will be a thousand more October 7’s.  As the world runs to their defense, we must recognize that the battle is the Lord’s. It is His people that they seek to annihilate, and it is the Mighty God of Israel that they openly taunt. History tells us this won’t end well for them.

As the Church, may we pray for the scales that cover the eyes of unbelief, in that area, to be opened to the saving Grace of the Gospel of Christ. We know there are Believers among them that hold small home churches and declare that God is their Savior and Redeemer. The echoes of evil are getting louder and louder, but the small soft voice of God is still heard in the land. Praise His name!

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)