Goliath

Goliath dan skognes motivation blogger speaker teacher trainer coach educator (2)Everyone has a giant or two that they have to face in order to experience their destiny. One of the reasons I love the story of David and Goliath is that the odds were totally stacked in favor of Goliath. On paper, David did not have a snowball chance in Texas of surviving the duel. David was the definite underdog, and yet he was the winner.

Here are a few lessons that we can all learn from the story:

  • In Goliath’s case, the over-confidence in his size and abilities turned out to be his downfall. Lesson one is: don’t overestimate your ability. I don’t care how big you are, how mean you are, or how many resources are at your disposal. Know your limitations and by all means, know your opponent.
  • In David’s case, he had been training for years in the wilderness. He had already killed a lion, a bear, and no telling what other wild creatures that tried to take his sheep. Lesson two is: if you go into battle fully prepared, your skills and experience can compensate for lack of physical weapons and armor. David was incredibly skillful with a simple slingshot. Be a skilled warrior.
  • In Goliath’s case, he was counting on his own strength and might. Lesson three is: don’t rely on your own strength. David had the strength of the Lord on his side. It does not get any better than that! If God is for you, who can be against you and survive? Nobody! You and God are a majority.
  • In David’s case, he did not let fear nor the taunting of others (including his oldest brother) dissuade him from the task at hand. Lesson four: fear neither people nor circumstances. He knew God was with him, and he knew his own skills. Because of that, there was absolutely nothing for him to fear. He did not run from his fear. When the army of Israel was running from what they feared, he ran directly to it.
  • In Goliath’s case, he thought his size, his armor, weapons, and experience would be what he needed to win. What he did not realize is that there was a spiritual battle going on simultaneously, and that battle had already been won by David. Nothing Goliath could wear would help him, and no weapon he used would hurt David. The hand of God was with David because he put God first and totally submitted to Him. Lesson five: put on the whole armor of God and you will be successful. It is not what you put on you, but what you put in you that matters.
  • Lesson six: both men went into the battle totally confident that they would win, yet only one of them would survive. Evil may win for a season and it may appear that all is lost, but good always triumphs in the end.

It does not matter how big the Goliath is that you are facing right now. Follow David’s example and you will prevail. Your destiny awaits you on the other side of your Goliath. Faith your fears.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

2 Responses to “Goliath”

  1. Diane says:

    I really like your practical examples of life, particularly your stories of children. However, I had a difficult time with this post. Really, God is with me all the time? I will win by battles with “my Goliath” if I believe hard enough in God ? Unfortunately, that has NOT been my life’s experience at all. The times I have felt most deserted by God is when I have had to fight a Goliath on my own and often lost the battle.

    Thank you for writing this. I hope others find it more inspirational than I did.

    Keep writing!

    • Dan Skognes says:

      Diane, I feel the pain in your words and the bewilderment of wondering where is God in the middle of the storm? The one point I would encourage you on is not to fight the fight on your own. I never said it would be easy. Life is tough….but it is practically impossible to do it on your own. There are just two many enemies we have to deal with. I don’t know your circumstances…but I suspect you do not have yourself surrounded by well-grounded women of faith. I would encourage you to press in to God…His Word…and fellowship with His people. It is not about you doing so much as it is about you being….a woman of God…resting in Him…and not letting the cares of this world get you down. I realize that is easier said than done…and I don’t claim to have all the answers. I just know what has been successful for me in my walk with the Lord. It is a daily walk. Sometimes I stumble. Sometimes I fail. But….I have never lost my faith and that has sustained me through some very very dark days…days when I did not want to even go on another day. I am so fortunate to have a wife who love the Lord, a church that preaches and teaches the Word of God, and friends who cover me in prayer continually. That is how I make it. I may be wounded, scarred, and even bloody from the battle at times, but I am still fighting the good fight. My prayers are with you in your journey. Don’t give up. Stay the course. Press in to God. Shalom! Dan