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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 31 July 2025:
1 Samuel 17:1–3 — Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle…. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
The setting is tense and symbolic. Two opposing armies, two opposing worldviews — God’s people and a pagan force. The valley represents the spiritual battleground between faith and fear, trust and terror. Every believer must step into the valley where faith is tested.
1 Samuel 17:4–7 — And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath…. He stood six cubits and a span.
Goliath represents more than a man; he symbolizes an intimidating force of the world, confident in human power and mocking divine authority. His armor, stature, and defiance paint a picture of worldly strength. Faith is not tested in the absence of Goliaths but by facing them head-on.
1 Samuel 17:8–11 — …“Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.” … When Saul and all Israel heard these words… they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
Saul, once brave, now cowers. Fear dominates when leaders look to the flesh rather than to God. The contrast between what Goliath demands and Israel’s fearful silence reveals a nation that has forgotten who their God is. The same God who delivered them countless times is now forgotten in the presence of a loud voice.
1 Samuel 17:12–15 — Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse… and David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep.
David’s introduction again connects kingship to shepherding. Faithful in the little things — watching sheep — he is unknowingly being prepared to shepherd a nation. God’s training ground is often hidden and humble. Too many Christians are looking for God to do big things with them while are failing to glorify Him right where they are in little things which no one sees but God.
- Luke 16:10 — “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
1 Samuel 17:16 — For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.
Forty days echoes the time of testing (as with the flood and Israel’s wandering). The enemy taunts, hoping repeated intimidation will wear down resistance. Faith does not waver under prolonged pressure but remains steadfast.
1 Samuel 17:20–23 — And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper… and ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers.
David’s faithfulness is marked by diligence, humility, and courage. He honors his father, respects the flock, and shows initiative. His heart is already aligned with God’s purposes long before he faces Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:26 — …“who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David’s perspective is spiritual. Where others see a giant, he sees an offense against God. His indignation isn’t personal — it’s theological. This is holy defiance: not anger born of pride but zeal for God’s honor (John 2:17).
1 Samuel 17:28 — Now Eliab his eldest brother… said, “Why have you come down? … I know your presumption and the evil of your heart…”
Eliab’s words may reveal more than sibling rivalry; they may expose David’s reputation for intensity and pridefulness. Yet even if David’s motives are pure, others may misjudge. When God raises a person for His purpose, critics often arise, sometimes from within the family. Criticism is inevitable, but obedience must remain undeterred (Matthew 10:36). We must maintain a healthy balance of humble confidence. Boldly obeying while being mindful that we are still in need of grace and constant correction. Listen humbly, introspectively, and prayerfully to critique and criticism, but also walk in the confidence of God’s grace and the conviction of His word.
- Romans 8:33-36 — Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
1 Samuel 17:32–33 — And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
True courage strengthens others. David isn’t just offering to fight — he’s inviting others into renewed faith. Godly leadership begins with personal surrender and active faith.
1 Samuel 17:37 — And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
David’s confidence isn’t naïve; it’s rooted in lived testimony. God doesn’t waste experiences — each deliverance builds the next layer of trust. Past faithfulness is the lens through which we face future battles (Romans 5:3–5).
1 Samuel 17:39 — Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off.
You cannot win today’s battles using someone else’s weapons. God uses the unique preparation and identity He has shaped in you. Imitation faith will collapse in the valley. Be faithful to your calling, not someone else’s expectations (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4–7).
Also, you will not win spiritual battles (and all issues are at their foundations spiritual issues) with the weapons of this world – “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4) What are the weapons of this world? Anger, deception, manipulation, seduction, exploitation, self-serving force, etc. Most people use various forms of worldly weapons to control situations and people for their own benefit. For example, someone might use anger to pressure people into doing what they want, often to great effect. However, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
1 Samuel 17:40 — Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch.
David wasn’t hedging his bets by taking five stones — he was preparing to fight a long war, not just a short battle. According to 2 Samuel 21:22, Goliath had four brothers. David’s readiness shows faith without presumption. He trusted God, but he also knew that obedience could be long and costly. Faith prepares without fear.
1 Samuel 17:42–44 — …When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him…. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds….”
To the world, faith looks foolish. David’s youth and lack of armor made him appear laughable. The man of the flesh mocks the things of the Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). Expect ridicule when you walk by faith, but do not be deterred.
1 Samuel 17:45 — Then David said… “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
David invokes the name of the LORD — Yahweh of Hosts. He’s not fighting alone. Goliath defied man, but David sees that the real conflict is with God. When you fight God’s battles in God’s name, you fight under His authority and with His power.
1 Samuel 17:46–47 — “This day the LORD will deliver you… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel…. For the battle is the LORD’s…”
David declares the purpose of the battle — not his own victory, but God’s glory. Every battle in a believer’s life is a stage to display the power of God, not the strength of man. God uses weak vessels to show His might (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7).
1 Samuel 17:48–50 — David ran quickly toward the battle line… and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell…
David’s speed reflects his confidence. Faith doesn’t delay, it acts with urgency. And though the stone struck true, it was God who guided it. The victory was supernatural, yet it used David’s natural obedience.
1 Samuel 17:51–52 — Then David ran and stood over the Philistine… and cut off his head… and the Philistines fled.
The Philistines had placed all hope in one man. When that man fell, so did their courage. False hopes collapse suddenly. Only trust in God endures and conquers (cf. Psalm 20:7–8).
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 31 July 2025: Step into the valley without fear, armed with the memory of God’s past faithfulness, and prepared for a long battle—not because victory is uncertain, but because your obedience might cost you everything. Put off borrowed armor. Pick up your own smooth stones. Trust not in visible strength but in the unseen God. Speak boldly for His glory, act urgently for His Name, and fight with a confidence that sees the battle already won. Today, choose to stand where others tremble, not for your name—but so that all the earth may know there is a God.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 