Five smooth stones and a slingshot. That was all David brought to his fight against Goliath. In the end, he actually needed only one stone to slay the giant, and he took him down with a single shot. He wasn’t even wearing armor.
Well, David wasn’t wearing any physical armor, that is. He didn’t need it and anyway he found it too cumbersome. But he had armored himself with something much more powerful – God’s promise. So he was bold enough to tell Goliath to F off, basically:
David said to the Philistine, “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. – 1 Samuel 17:45 (David had already trusted God to save him from a lion’s den so he had some confidence here)
The entirety of the David and Goliath story is written in 1 Samuel 17. It’s the best story in the Bible in my humble opinion and I highly recommend re-reading it if you haven’t in a while.
Even though we are no longer living in the days of the Bible stories, it seems to me there are still at least a few modern-day Davids, of sorts. Men and women who defy the odds, fighting with little resources or support other than their faith. I’ve been fortunate enough to have witnessed some of these warriors in my lifetime, and maybe you have, too.
Even in boxing, there are Davids. Now, of course we don’t see boxing matches between a little guy and some big heavyweight because that’s not how it works. But I’ve certainly known some fighters with power in their punches that seem to defy biology. A force of strength that comes from somewhere beyond the physical. I’ve also seen boxers win fights against competitors who have superior skill (and speed) and were previously undefeated. Unlikely champions still live among us.
So don’t ever think you don’t stand a chance if you’re up against a challenge that seems too big to take on. And when you go into a fight – especially if it is your first fight, or a fight against an undefeated opponent – remember this: if you think you can’t win, you won’t. Just like everything else, half of boxing is what’s in your heart. It’s what you believe. It’s not just about skill, although that is certainly essential. But the rest is really up to your will and determination, and what you believe you can do.
David chose to believe in God’s promise, and it made all the difference. We can also choose what to believe, but that isn’t always easy. Believing in God and believing in one’s self are both lifelong battles for many people, and understandably so. But the battle is worth it because the reward is becoming who you were meant to be. And what in this one short life is better than that?
In a world of unbelievers and Philistines, I hope you’ll choose to be a David. The world sure could use more of those.