1 Samuel 17:10-11

New International Version

Then the Philistine said, “This day, I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man, and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

For Encouragement

It was a moment to exalt the LORD before the Philistines and their giant warrior, but every Israeli soldier shivered in their corner, dismayed and terrified. Their nemesis was this 9-foot-tall giant adorned in bronze and iron armor (1 Sam. 17:4-7). Goliath towered over everybody in his ranks, and he stood to challenge the Israelite army. His voice sent shivers in King Saul, who hid with all his soldiers with him—petrified!

The Oxford English Dictionary defines fear “as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.” As the definition goes, it is unpleasant to hear some bad news that threatens our peace and security or comfort and well-being. Such information penetrates the core of our being to harm or inflict pain on us. It arouses our emotions, shifts the body into defensive mode, and shatters our peace. Harmful ideas and actions then ensue. For the Christian, fear often removes our focus from our Savior and puts it on ourselves, thus taking us off Heaven’s radar.  

The enemy effectively uses this human emotion as the most trusted weapon in his strategic armory. He has used it to paralyze some of the bravest and most dedicated saints in the past, and he continues to wield it against us.

Satan designed fear in Eden and tried it on Adam and Eve, who hid from God (Genesis 3:8). Abraham lied twice out of fear (Gen 12:11-13, 18-19, 20:2, 11), and Elijah ran from Jezebel, afraid for his life (1 Kings 19:3-4) and the list goes on.

The only antidote to fear is total trust in God, our Protector. That is why God always told His people not to fear (Isa. 35:4; 41:10, 14). Jesus never stopped calming the hearts of those who came to Him for healing and their other needs, not to fear.

When news came to Jairus that his daughter had died, Jesus turned to him and said, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe, and she will be healed” (Luke 8:50). How comforting those words from the Lord were!

Fear is the antithesis of courage, so when the disciples feared when Jesus walked on the water, He told them to “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). He wants His disciples to feel confident in His sovereignty and have courage when the evil and giants of this world threaten us. That is what David showed the Israelites against Goliath (1 Samuel 17:41-51). We, too, can shout fear out of our circumstances by standing upon the mighty name of Jesus and telling the giants who threaten us:

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (45).

So, be like David. Stand up in Jesus’s name to the challenges in your life with bravery. Don’t cower. Overcome your fears and conquer for the Father’s glory.

 Pray with Me:

In all the mess of this world, Lord, give wisdom to your church to never forget your commission to us and to be your faithful witnesses and agents of your love, amen!