Ten Men: The Rich Connections Every Man Needs (A Study of King David)Sample

Ordained Opposition (David & Goliath, Saul)

The Bible is rich with the truth of the marriage between our struggle and advancement. It is emphasized repeatedly in the lives of countless characters who faced battles before blessings. Faith is not faith until it is tested. The fire of opposition transforms your elementary belief in Jesus into the golden faith He wants you to have! Your trial possesses a power of formation that can purify you and shape you into something far greater than you would ever be without it.

When most of us see a Goliath or are being chased by a relentless “Saul,” we become so overly aware of the opposition that we become blind to the opportunity. Our anxiety kills our vision, and we become trauma victims instead of disciples being formed by the trial. What if we shifted our mentality and became brave again? Like a naïve, young David, we could rush the battle lines (see 1 Samuel 17:48) and meet our foe with courageous faith instead of over-developed fears. We would use opposition as fuel for the future.

What is your relationship with the Goliath in your life? Is it an association you are trying to avoid? A bond you desperately want to break? No one wants opposition; we all would love to have calm seas for the rest of our days. However, our desire for ease can be more dangerous than a well-armed nine-foot-tall giant. Goliaths are emboldened by avoidance. Giants do not go away on their own; they must be forced to do so. The one David met in the Valley of Elah had mocked Israel forty days in a row. (See 1 Samuel 17:16.) God could have stopped him, but He didn’t. This was God-ordained opposition.

Goliath may have struck fear into the Israelites, but not into David. The defeat of the Philistine would serve as his royal coming-out party. Goliath would pave David’s way to the palace. It is a strange truth, but actually, David needed Goliath. Why? Because it is only in the fire that we become warriors. God has ordained opponents for everyone He uses in the kingdom. David had to experience the burden of facing Goliath (and others) before he could bear the weight of the throne. Goliath was a giant promotion waiting to happen.

Goliath looked insurmountable and invincible to everyone else—except David. No matter how many times I survey the text, I cannot find evidence of even an ounce of fear in David. He spoke to or about Goliath as if the Philistine were already defeated. In contrast, all the trained, professional soldiers were so terrified that they would flee in great terror whenever Goliath appeared. (See 1 Samuel 17:24.) David did not see Goliath as a threat; he saw Goliath as a giant opportunity.