The story that is so famous, yet still half untold. When we hear the story of David and Goliath, we often compare ourselves to David. We tell ourselves that we must face our giants and question our faith. But there is more to David’s story that we often neglect: before the battle with Goliath.
David, the youngest among his brothers, was described in 1 Samuel 16:12 as ruddy with beautiful eyes and handsome. Being the youngest, he was sent to tend to his father’s sheep. Though David was a handsome young man, his reputation as a fierce warrior preceded him, even before he faced Goliath.
When King Saul needed music to calm his troubled spirit, one of his servants recommended David, describing him as a man of war. The servant said,
“Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18).
David is known for his courage and fighting ability. Even though no one gave him a chance to fight in actual battle and he was left to tend the sheep, he fearlessly defended those little sheep from a lion and a bear.
When Saul referred to him as a youth and questioned his ability to fight Goliath, David responded with determination:
“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:36).
David’s life revolved around caring for sheep, playing music, and singing psalms. These activities taught him to focus and deepen his relationship with God. Through various experiences, God showed him how to connect with Him. As a result, when faced with the ultimate test, David was confident in the outcome. He had learned to wrestle with God, pray, and use the power of blessings, bravery, and trust to overcome any obstacles in his way.
We cannot simply convince ourselves to confront our Goliaths without recognizing that the person who uttered those words had already been living a triumphant life. Unlike us, who struggle to overcome our weaknesses, David had already developed the foundation of strength through his relationship with God. Do not believe that you can conquer this enemy with your own strength, thinking that this habit is your Goliath and you can defeat it on your own. Remember what the Bible warns about sin:
“For she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men” (Proverbs 7:26).
The Source of Power
Let us always remember that our fight is not about relying on our own strength but about acquiring power from God to win the battle. Our struggle is about deepening our connection with God so He can work within us just as He did with David. When faced with challenges, like Goliath appearing in the picture and temptation arising, we may feel the urge to give in. However, in those moments, we can draw strength from heaven, which will help us overcome those urges and emerge victorious.
As we reflect on David, we also remember his weaknesses—weaknesses that we, too, struggle with. Yet, David’s triumph over his weaknesses gave us the beautiful symphony of Psalm 51, a prayer we now readily recite.
In the past, it was socially acceptable for individuals to have multiple wives. David, himself, had eight wives, along with many other women. However, despite having multiple wives, David’s downfall began when he caught a glimpse of a woman showering. If she had been just another woman, he might have taken her as a concubine. The crucial difference was that this woman was already married, and her husband was still alive. In an abuse of his power, David orchestrated the death of her husband and then claimed her as his wife. This action deeply upset God.
The Bible tells us that after David slept with Bathsheba, he learned that she had become pregnant. In an attempt to conceal his actions, David called for Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to return home from the war and spend the night in his own house. David hoped that by doing so, Uriah would sleep with his wife, and the child would be believed to be Uriah’s. However, Uriah’s loyalty remained with the army, even though he had come home at the command of King David. He steadfastly refused to sleep in his own house. Faced with this challenge, King David sent Uriah back to the battlefield carrying a message written with his own hand. The message instructed Uriah’s commander to position him at the front lines, hoping he would die in battle.
These events required time to unfold. David continued his routine of praying and singing psalms throughout this period, which may have lasted days or months. He was so lost in his actions that he couldn’t fully comprehend the gravity of his mistake. It took an honest voice from Nathan to awaken him and expose his weaknesses, prompting him to repent.
What Is Normal?
This is what evil does to all of us: it rationalizes everything and makes it seem normal. It becomes normal to engage in self-pleasure, to have frequent sexual encounters, and as a married man, to expect my wife to treat me like the women in pornographic videos. It becomes normal for her to let me do as I please.
Our perception of normal changes over time. We begin accepting new ideas and behaviors that we would have never tolerated a few years ago. It becomes the new “normal.”
King David was living his “normal” life, praying and singing, while God waited for him to realize the gravity of his actions. Days passed, and David remained unchanged. It was then that God sent Nathan with a story that mirrored David’s own transgressions. As a king, David immediately passed judgment on the story, not realizing that he was condemning himself. It was only at this moment that he truly understood the depth of his sin. This realization led him to pray:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me”(Psalm 51:10-11).
My Dear Fighter,
I have concerns that there may be aspects of your life that appear normal but are actually sinful when brought into the light. These sins are being observed by God, patiently waiting for you to realize them. If you are unable to do so on your own, perhaps a friend, a church meeting, or even this post may deliver a message to you. It is possible that what you perceive as light is, in reality, darkness. In such a case, you may be unaware of the extent of darkness residing within your heart.
“If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23).
Sin is tricky, and living in it, such as indulging in pornography, can have a brainwashing effect on us. We gradually accept it as a normal part of our daily lives. We numb our subconscious minds to avoid being bothered by it and justify our lustful desires. However, this new “normal” brings restlessness, a lack of peace, and struggles. Over time, individuals may sink into depression and develop health issues, only to eventually realize that everything is connected. They come to see that their struggle is tied to pornography and that what once seemed normal was actually a trap pulling them into a lifeless existence. When they acknowledge their need for healing and begin the process, God will raise them up. In the end, He still seeks to connect with each person and be present in their lives. He’s wondering when you’ll wake up, His loving but sad voice reaching you as He knocks, and you’ve ignored Him:
“I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night'” (Song of Songs 5:2).
Start with five minutes of prayer.
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