Taking Down the Giant

Life has a way of bringing about challenges and trials that all too often seem impossible to overcome.  "The challenges we face today are in their own way comparable to challenges of the past ... Employment and financial problems are not unusual. Many people have physical and mental health challenges. Others deal with marital problems or wayward children. Some have lost loved ones. Addictions and inappropriate or harmful propensities cause heartache. Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them" (Elder Quentin L. Cook).  Despite the significant amount of adversity that enters into our life, there is no trial too big to be overcome through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

From an Old Testament teaching, we learn of how we, teamed with our faith and confidence in Jesus Christ, can conquer any foe or trial.  Looking in 1 Samuel Ch. 17, we learn of the plight of one young boy named David, an Israelite shepherd boy, who arose to the challenge presented by the dreaded Philistine giant, Goliath.  With both the Philistine and Israelite army squaring off with each other, the Philistine's posed a challenge that they undoubtedly knew no one would face.  The Philistine champion, Goliath, standing at just about 10 ft. in height, cried out to the Israelites, "Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.  If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us" (17:8-9).

For forty days did Goliath present himself to the Israelites, each time presenting his challenge to them, but none of Saul's army would dare stand up to what they saw as an impossible enemy to defeat.  David, on an errand to deliver food and provisions to the Israelite camp and hearing of the giant's claim, accepted the call to battle.  Speaking to King Saul, David said, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight" (17:32).  All thought David to be a foolish young lad in his desire yet he persisted in his ambition to take up arms against this foe.  Eventually being permitted to do so, he was suited with all sorts of weapons, armour, and protection.  When David arrived in battle though, he removed all his armour and took with him his staff and five smooth stones for his sling.  Goliath mocked him, saying, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves... Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field" (17:43-44)