The story of David and Goliath is a very compelling story of the power of God.  One that God carefully orchestrates to show the Israelites just how wrong they are about how God should protect them.  Taking a step back from 1 Samuel 17, we see in 1 Samuel 8 that the people are being told by God how they should elect a king if they are to have one at all.  The people are scared by all of these other nations that have kings and see how powerful they are.  They don't trust that God will protect them, and they seek to make their own "Goliath."
Israel received just what they desired. Saul, Israel's "Goliath," was magnificent in appearance and in size, being a foot taller than all the people. Israel’s choice of Saul to be their king exposed their idolatry, for the Lord would tell Samuel that the proper selection of a king has nothing to do with appearance, since “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). With Saul, Israel got their dream king in the place of the Lord.

What Israel desired most in their rejection of the Lord had now failed them in the worst way. Israel specifically asked Samuel for a king so that he would “go out before [them] and fight [their] battles” (1 Sam. 8:20). Saul, the powerful king of Israel’s choosing, should have gone “out before them,” as Goliath did, onto the battlefield to fight. Instead, he cowers before the strength of the Philistine.
Instead of Saul, God puts David on the battlefield and protects Israel from the Philistines.  A man with the heart to protect the people, but not the body.

Questions for further thought:
1. Have you ever created your own "Goliath?"
2. How has God shown you that He is the one you should rely on?

Challenge: It's very easy to create feelings of safety for ourselves.  "I don't have to worry anymore; I have money saved up in the bank."  Or "I finally got that job/promotion/house/car/etc. and now I'm good."  It's not a bad thing to have these things when we need them.  The problem comes when we put our faith in the "things" and not God.  "When we try out idolatry, God has a remarkable way of making our idols powerless before the very fears that created them in the first place." - Christopher Gordon.  As you go through your day, try to find places in your life that you aren't putting your full trust in God to save you, but the thing itself that he has provided to you.  Ask God to help you rely on Him.

What a difference perspective can make.  Most of the onlookers saw only a giant.  David, however, saw a mortal man defying almighty God.  And Goliath was too big to miss.  David knew he would not be alone when he faced Goliath; God would fight with him.  He looked at the Israelite army's situation from God's point of view.

Questions for further thought:
1. Have you ever had a "giant" that you thought was insurmountable, but it turned out to be not that big of a deal?
2. What are some times that someone else told you to be afraid of something and you didn't end up doing it because of that?

Challenge: Take a deep breath today and pray.  Keep God with you as you do everything you do.  Sometimes the best thing for us to do is to let everything go and let God take care of everything.

There are times when we can get ideas in our heads about something and get excited about accomplishing that task the way we thought of it the first time.  But as we know, it's not always that easy.  Sometimes things don't work out so simply the first time.  David knew when he put on the armor and sword that it wouldn't work for him to fight that way.  David could have, at that point, just walked away and no one would have blamed him.  But David found another way!  He knew where God had given him strength and pushed forward.

Questions for further thought:
1. Has there ever been a time that you got excited about something but found out you couldn't do it?  How did you react?
2. Do you know what your weaknesses are and what your strengths are?

Challenge: Knowing your own talents is a wonderful thing.  Sometimes we need help to accomplish something and sometimes we just need to go at it in a different way.  While you're accomplishing your tasks today, make note of what you do well!  Maybe also make some notes of areas you need help with.  Ask God to help you find either a new solution or whether you should seek help from another perspective.

Criticism couldn't stop David.  While the rest of the army stood around, he knew the importance of taking action.  With God to fight for him, there was no reason to wait.  People may try to discourage you with negative comments or mock you, but continue to do what you know is right.  By doing what is right you will be pleasing God, whose opinion matters most.  (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Questions for further thought:
1. What are some times that you've faced criticism in your life?  Did those comments stop you?
2. Have you ever not done something because you were afraid how the other person might perceive you?

Challenge: As we go through our days, we interact with more people than we realize.  Whether it's indirectly or directly people are going to see us and notice us.  It can be rather intimidating at times to think about how other people might perceive us.  Ultimately what they think about us doesn't matter, the only thing we need to care about is how God sees us.  While going through your day today try not to think about what other people or even yourself thinks about you.  Think about how God thinks about you.

I can't imagine that it would have been easy to stand across the field from this giant and not be shaking with fear.  Goliath even had a trusty shieldsman on his side!  But David had someone on his side who made it so that David had absolutely no doubt that he would come out victorious.  Even though it seemed like David was alone, David knew that God would be there to protect him.  And David's God is your God, too.  You don't have to be alone when you face your challenges either.  God is on your side and He goes into battle for you.

Questions for further thought:
1. What is there in your life that you consider your own personal Goliath?
2. How has God helped you through the tough times of your life that you couldn't do on your own?  

Challenge: As you are going through your day today, find the things in your life that you find yourself worrying about facing.  Give them up and let God go toe to toe with them instead.  If you're feeling frustrated, take a moment out of your day and pray.  Ask God to help you through your problems.  You'll be amazed what our God is capable of!

We’ve probably all felt a little unlovable at certain points in our lives or sinned and had difficulty forgiving ourselves. Maybe the feelings and thoughts still linger. Fortunately, God never stops loving us and doesn’t write us off. When we turn around and call to Him, He is right there waiting with open arms to forgive and restore us.
 
Questions for further thought:
1. What are some things you have a hard time forgiving yourself for?
2. How have you felt God’s love and forgiveness?

Challenge: Talk to God about your struggle with forgiving yourself and feeling unlovable. Tell Him about any unconfessed sin and ask Him to help you feel His love and know His forgiveness.

The love Jesus has for us is so amazing that it can sometimes be hard to imagine. He cares for us so much that he lays down his life for us. And this is of his own accord. As our good shepherd, he protects us – meaning all who believe in Him as their Savior will have eternal life.
 
Questions for further thought:
1. When you visualize Jesus as your Good Shepherd, what comes to mind?
2. How have you felt God’s love for you in the past and now?

Challenge: Using Psalm 23:3 as an inspiration, take some time to journal what it means to have Jesus as your Good Shepherd.

When we look at how many people there are in the world, it might be difficult to feel like the intricacies and challenges of our lives matter to God. Fortunately, He knows us individually, loves and cares for us, and calls us to do the things He’s prepared for us to do.
 
Questions for further thought:
1. In what ways have you said “yes” when God called you to do things in the past?
2. What is God calling you to do at this point in your life?

Challenge: There are many Christian resources out there dedicated to helping you discover what God is calling you to do. Consider reading “X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential” by John Bevere. You might also do a Google search of “Christian life coaching” to find resources to help you.

The temptation to sin can happen when we go through a hard time. Thankfully, God will provide us with a way out. We can also be glad to remember that when we face trials, they produce perseverance in us.
 
Questions for further thought:
1. How have you dealt with the trials in your life? 
2. How has God provided you with a way out when you’ve been tempted?

Challenge: Think about how God has been faithful to you in past trials, then read Ephesians 6:10-18 about the armor of God so that you’re prepared for future trials.

We all face uncertainties in life and wonder if God will provide for us individually. We also go through experiences in our families or with other groups of people, like our church families, where we wonder if God will give us the help and strength we need.
 
Questions for further thought:
1. What difficulty have you experienced individually that God provided a resolution to?
2. When have you witnessed God help your family, church family or other group when the circumstances seemed impossible?

Challenge: Spend time praying and thanking God for all the ways he’s provided for you, your family, your church family and other groups you’re part of.