WEDNESDAY 18TH APRIL, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:- 1 SAMUEL 17
TOPIC:– YOUR GOLIATH MUST FALL AND DIE
TEXT:- 1 SAMUEL 17:26
The meaning of Goliath from the Hebrew language is passage; revolution; heap. The name Goliath comes from the verb gala, meaning to uncover, remove or to go into exile. Root-verb gala means to uncover, remove or to go into exile, but these meanings diverge so much that there may be two separate roots at work in this verb. The verb gala denotes an uncovering of sensory organs such as the ear, (1 Samuel 9:15), or eye, (Numbers 24:4), indicating a propensity to hear or see. It may indicate the revealing of someone; a human person, (1 Samuel 20:2), or God, (2 Samuel 7:27), a secret, (Amos 3:7), or a message, (Esther 3:14). It may indicate indecent exposure, (Exodus 20:26), or even the intent to commit immoral acts, (Deuteronomy 22:30).
The name Goliath does not mean giant. It means exposer. Goliath’s decapitation clearly parallels the same quest for Philistine circumcision that dominated Israel’s attitude from the time of the judges until the early kingdom years, 1 Samuel 17:25-27.
Goliath was a giant, i.e. a person or thing of enormous size or strength. Goliath is philistine Giant, according to one tradition slain by David, 1 Samuel 17, but according to another slain by Elhanan, 2 Samuel 21:19. Those are the two men named Goliath in the Bible.
There was also an unnamed giant who was killed by David’s nephew Jonathan, 1 Chronicles 21:20. The name Goliath means “great.” Goliath was a famous giant from the philistine city of Gath.
For 40 days, he openly defied the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a man out to fight him. He was killed by the shepherd boy, David, with a single shot of a stone from his sling. His height was “six cubits and a span;” Taking the cubit at 21 inches, that’s 10-1/2 feet tall. He had four brothers, which may be the reason David picked up five stones for his slingshot when he confronted Goliath.
David cut off Goliath’s head and carried it to Jerusalem; he hung Goliath’s weapons in his own tent, 1 Samuel 17:51, 53. Goliath’s sword was later preserved at Nob as a religious trophy, 1 Samuel 21:9. David’s victory over Goliath was a turning point in his life.
Goliath represents the many obstacles and pitfalls we encounter in life, whether they be spiritual or physical. While we may never encounter giants in the flesh as physical enemies, we do encounter symbolic giants that can confront us in the spiritual and physical realm.
These Goliaths will try to win over us, but, like David, we have the grace of God on our side, and God will empower us to confront and conquer those enormous giants. Like David, we can use the least of our weaponry to defeat them.
We do not need heavy artillery for the job; all we need is the power of prayer, the word of God, and God’s grace to defeat whatever we encounter that keeps us fearful.
What are some of the Goliaths we face in life? Intimidation. Unfortunately, the Israelites were dismayed and terrified, 1 Samuel 17:11. Yet David, a young boy, faced the enemy with confidence. David trusted God because he had a relationship with him, so he could stand up to any intimidation. Goliath was not spared by David, yours too must fall and die.
Prayer Points:–
1. I command you Goliath after my life, fall into your snare and die, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. I reject to be discouraged on the journey to my greatness, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. I command you hero or champion of the problem of my life, turn to zero, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Beloved! Help me to appreciate God for another year added to me today!
