David's Courage in the Valley

1 Samuel 17:3-4

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

1 Samuel 17:45, 46

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee..And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..

David wasn't even suppose to be in the battle but when no one else would stand he stood up! He was ridiculed by his brother and told by Saul that he was too small and the giant was too big. He told Saul he had some practice going up against things much bigger and stronger..a lion and a bear while protecting the sheep. Who would've thought that keeping his father's sheep would have prepared him for Goliath...the biggest giant of his life. 

Before David could fight he had to go down into the valley. Sometimes we will have to go into a valley just so we can fight the enemy. God wants to give us victory over the Giants causing disarray and discouragement in our lives. This morning while driving to work the Lord brought this story to my mind..David realized someone would die in that valley! He would die or Goliath would die. In everyone's eyes David didn't stand a chance but in David's eyes He saw someone much mightier on his side. Psalm 23 calls it the "valley of the shadow of death". David could not go up against Goliath and win on his own..the shadow of death surrounded him yet he had no fear because he knew the Lord was with him. He chose to believe God would deliver him. He'd seen him deliver him before (vs37) and he trusted God would do it again. 

Have courage to go into the valley..have courage to stand for God and right..have courage and trust God. Someone has to die in the battle..leave it in God's hands and he will be with you! Victory is still ours..just claim it!