The Bottom Line

Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. David was a young, unassuming shepherd boy, and Goliath was a strong, intimidating fighter. As the story goes, David was remarkably empowered by the Lord to defeat Goliath, which resulted in an Israelite victory over the Philistines. While I have always loved this story and viewed it as a great testament to God’s power and David’s trust in Him, I was inspired this Sunday to view it in a new light. Beyond revealing God’s power and David’s boldness, this story illustrates the relationship that God has with humanity; a covenant relationship that was established long before David’s time.

Throughout the Old Testament, as the Israelites struggle to maintain their faith, God continuously reminds them of a promise. As He states over and over again, “If you will be my people, I will be your God.” In the context of David and Goliath, it’s so cool to see this promise come to fruition. As David steps out in faith and does as the Lord asks, collecting stones and preparing to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40), God saves the Israelites from the Philistine army. Not to mention, He allows David to directly participate in the defeat of Goliath. How cool is that?

While there is much to be said about God’s unwavering commitment to humanity, we must not forget our side of the covenant relationship. In order to reap the reward of God’s favor, we must do our part. In the story of David and Goliath, David had to make a choice to pursue God’s will. Unlike the other Israelites who tried to come against Goliath with their own strength and tactics, David looked upward. As he was being taunted by Goliath, he declared, “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 17:46). As this statement illustrates, David was not self-seeking. He was not fearful of the obstacles in his way, nor was he prideful. Rather, he was confident in the Lord. He knew that in order to overcome the battle, he needed to place his trust in God and follow Him, no matter what that meant.

David’s attitude throughout this portion of scripture is something I admire greatly. Whether times are rough or going smoothly, it’s my natural inclination to desire control. The reality is, however, I NEED God to help me overcome the challenges I face. I NEED God to guide me in my decisions. I NEED God in order to be the best version of myself. I NEED God to fulfill my purpose in life. The good news is, God’s part of the covenant is a guarantee. He has already promised to fulfill my every need. It is up to me, however, to accept this promise by aligning my life to His perfect will.

This week, I challenge you to examine yourself in relation to this story. Are you like David, actively seeking God’s will? Or do you relate more to the others, seeking to overcome the challenges of life through your own strength? Let us make decisions that uphold our end of the covenant with God. Let us live “the bottom line.” 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant