Revelation 12:11 – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”  NKJV

1 Samuel 17:45-47 – “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” NKJV

In Proverbs 18:21 we read, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”  That has been taken many directions by some in the Body of Christ. My objective is to focus on the ‘faith-filled words’ that were uttered in this encounter of David and Goliath and hopefully link that to our daily lives in Christ.  There is a difference between calling those things that are not as though they were and calling those things that are as though they are not.  But lest I get into hair-splitting let us move on.

In this account, we have the Philistine army on one mountain and the army of Israel on the other with a valley between.  Every morning for 40 days the Philistine champion Goliath would come out and taunt Israel, “Send out a man so we can fight.  If he wins, we will be your servants but if I win you will be ours.”  We know how it was affecting Israel for in verse 11 – “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” 

Fear was on the throne in the hearts of Saul and the army of Israel because of the imposing intimidating figure standing before them and had dismantled their Faith.  Now instead of the Joy of the Lord, they were filled with Gloom for they believed they were defeated and saw the problem as an impossible obstacle.  Sadly, too frequently that is how we face many situations in life. Some seem to view the devil as co-equal with God. He is not, he is a created being. There are reports that Goliath was over 9’ tall with a coat of armor that weighed over 150 pounds and a spear that was about 20 pounds.  In the natural that would cause great trepidation of heart.  It was not just one occurrence but Daily for 40 days, he had taunted these men of the Most High God.

Saul’s response was that if anyone would volunteer and defeat the enemy that man would gain riches, the hand of the king’s daughter in marriage, and his family would be set free.  No Takers Stepped Forward!  What good is a promise of reward if there is no hope of living to claim it?  Then we find David coming on the scene and upsetting the status quo. 

Then along comes this kid, David, and he asks, “Why aren’t you men doing something about this?”  His brothers were irritated and I’m quite sure so were the others standing around trembling in fear.  Quickly word got to Saul that someone was willing to fight and Saul observed, “Why you are not even a man yet!”  David reminded Saul of his previous encounters with danger and fear will always allow someone else to take the risk for it.  Saul attempted to equip David with his armor, but Faith said no, I’ll go with what brought me thus far.  Saul (the system/flesh) said here, you take what I equip you with and you will be qualified but David (the Spirit) said no God will qualify me.

He picked up five smooth stones from the brook and while there are many possibilities as to the significance of ‘five stones’ I will leave it for speculation. Some have suggested it was one for Goliath and each of his brothers.  Others insist it is representative of the ‘five-fold ministry’.  They were ‘smooth stones’ and I suggest that speaks of being fully developed with the rough edges polished off by being in the stream of what God is doing.

Goliath was livid that Israel would insult him sending out a boy to do a man’s job, but David declared his faith.  “You come with a sword and spear, but I come in the Name of the Lord.” Then he charged the giant!  David proclaimed God’s promise and declared his commitment and with Goliath’s own sword David removed his head and the problem facing Israel.

In God, we have sure promises, and we can stand and declare WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED confident that God will honor His word!  It just might be time to take God at His word and boldly say to our mountain BE REMOVED! 

God bless you as you go through your day!