D e f e a t is both a bitter word and a humiliating experi ence. No one enjoys it. Much less those who find themselves on the pinnacle of either temporal or spiritual authority. We have often heard folks say and perhaps we ourselves have said, “ I would give anything for victory.” But is this actually true? Do we really mean it? Unquestionably Saul wanted victory more than any thing else. This is evidenced in the fact that he was willing to give three important things to the man who would kill Goliath. He wanted victory earnestly enough to open the coffers of his treasury and give a handsome reward to the winner. And yet, he did not want victory earnestly enough. Of what value was all of Saul’s wealth while he lived in constant jeopardy of his life and his throne? Again, Saul wanted victory enough to give his daughter in marriage to the victor, yet Saul did not want victory earnestly enough. The implication of Saul’s willingness to give his daughter in marriage to the winner is that he was prepared to share his throne with a commoner — but after all, what good is a throne when its very exist ence is continually in peril? In the third place, Saul wanted victory badly enough to insure the victor’s family of a tax free future. And yet, Saul did not want victory earnestly enough. He was willing to pay any price but the right one. He, himself, was not ready to go out and get the victory which he so desired. Pride, deceit, and disobedience had already done their deadly work in the heart of Saul. He could never again be a winner in his own right. Whatever vic tory he was to enjoy he would have to buy, and this fact heralded his defeat. Selfish Victory As children of God, we desire victory over the evil One, and it is right that we should. But is it possible that we may be motivated by selfish motives even in such a noble desire? Do we want victory so we won’t have any guilty feelings? Do we want victory so that men will speak well of us, and so that our spirituality will be evident? Is it possible that we want victory just for victory’s sake? Not a single one of these motives is good enough be cause not one of them is intrinsically good. The only motive that is worthy of His work and His name is that He might be glorified. David puts it in these words, “That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” Mere words are not enough — our motives must also be acceptable in His sight. Christian victory cannot and must not be an end in itself. It is a Person to be enjoyed. From the moment David saw and head Goliath, one consuming thought filled his heart: God was being defied. His Name was being blasphemed and belittled. David could not stand by and listen to this even at the cost of his life. The Name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must be avenged. Had not God led Israel out of Egypt? Had He not overthrown seven nations greater than Israel for the sake of His people? Could Israel now stand by and let a Philistine idolater trample that Name underfoot? David was jealous for God. He wanted all the world to know that there was still a God in Israel. David’s motive for doing battle with Goliath assured him of victory. He desired only to vindicate the name of God. God will never fail such a person. From Victory to Victory The fact that David was not called upon to face Goliath until he had first conquered a lion and a bear was all a part of divine providence. These two victories so increased his dependence on God and matured his faith that he was now prepared to meet the third protagonist. This is what David says, “ I slew the lion and the bear.”
and in the next breath he says, “The Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear.” Both of these statements are gloriously true. For faith without works is dead and works without faith cannot please God. Significantly enough the Philistine contemp tuously suggests that David acts as if he were coming after a dog. Note the irony of that statement — why then should he who had killed a lion and a bear have any fear of a dog? Proven Weapons “ I have not proved them . . . ” I Samuel 17:39 Since David insisted on his suicidal mission, Saul wanted him to be as well equipped as possible. He was even willing to give David his own personal armor. Pic ture if you can this ludicrous situation. Saul’s armor was so large and so heavy that David couldn’t even carry it. Saul’s armor was too big for David, and conversely, David’s slingshot was too small for Saul. Yes, David’s victory was assured the moment he dis carded Saul’s unproven and clumsy weapons in favor of his own familiar sling. For many hours, days, weeks and months, David had practiced with his sling while herd ing sheep. He was a perfectionist, and he knew at a hair’s breadth that he could cast the stone. We must remember, however, that undoubtedly there were others in Saul’s
army who were just as expert with a sling and a stone - David’s faith in God made the difference. Circum stances do not make the man, they reveal him. Many a spiritual casualty would be spared today if God’s servants would take the gift that they have received from Him and practice long and hard until they could work it well. We would be far more proficient in this battle if we were expert at one thing rather than medi ocre in so many things. Big game hunters use a rifle — not a shotgun. Faith Is the Victory To Saul the giant was too big to hit — to David, he was too big to miss. Not in all of Israel was there a man more accurate with his sling than David. Since his usual targets were wild animals on the run and birds in flight, how then could he miss this giant? The fact remains, however, that David’s victory was not the result of the adept use of the sling. It was his unqualified dependence upon God. Complete confidence that God would deliver Goliath into his hand was the mainspring of his courage and his victory. It was not the stone that killed Goliath; it was David’s faith. The best of men will be defeated if they face the enemy alone. Victory is only possible in the strength of Jesus Christ. “ . . . in all these things we are more than con querors through him that loved us.” The arm of flesh will
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