A Matter of the Eyes

By Danny Saavedra

“Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. . . . Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.Now the Israelites had been saying, ‘Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.’David asked the men standing near him, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, ‘This is what will be done for the man who kills him.’”—1 Samuel 17:12–27 NIV

We love a good underdog story, don’t we? From the classic "Rocky" movies where a scrappy fighter defies all odds, to a story like the 9-7 New York Giants barely getting into the playoffs by beating the undefeated juggernaut New England Patriots. There’s something deeply inspiring about watching someone take on a giant and come out victorious. These stories tap into a universal truth: we all face challenges—some really big—and we all need hope that they can be overcome. But here’s the thing: in the battles of life, we’re not actually meant to be the hero.

In today’s passage, we begin examining the story of David and Goliath. It’s one of the most well-known underdog stories in history. David, a young shepherd boy, steps up to face the giant warrior Goliath. On the surface, it looks like a battle between a small, unassuming boy and a giant warrior, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see something more profound. The battle was never really between David and Goliath; it was all about God demonstrating His power to overcome any and all evil, no matter how big or intimidating it might seem.

So, what’s going on here? It’s been 40 days of “battle” between the Israelites and the Philistines. You see, in this era, wars were sometimes decided between two champions. Why? To prevent the mass casualties that come from full-scale battles. By having each side's best warrior fight on behalf of their armies, the outcome of the duel was believed to determine the victory or defeat of the entire nation. It was a practical way to resolve conflict without unnecessary loss of life.

And on the Philistines' side, there was Goliath. Scholars and sources vary, but this man-beast was believed to be between seven and nine feet tall. Think Andre the Giant meets the Terminator. He was, to say the least, intimidating. And for 40 days, Goliath mocked the Israelites, daring anyone to step up to him while also blaspheming the Lord.

And what did the Israelites do? Nothing! They were paralyzed by fear, not surrendering, but also not sending out their champion to face the giant. Then, David, still a young boy, believed to be around 15 or 16 years old, arrives with food for his brothers at the behest of his father . . . and he hears the giant’s taunts. Unlike everyone else, David wasn’t afraid. Look at what he asks some of the soldiers: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David wasn’t concerned with how big and scary Goliath seemed to be; he was overcome with zeal for the God this giant was defying. David wasn’t looking at an unbeatable man, but at his unstoppable God.

And this is where we find the great lesson of this moment. How do you face the giants in your life? What do you do when faced with trials, traumas, and tribulations, with difficult, painful, scary, seemingly impossible challenges? Like the Israelite army or like David? The key is your focus, friends!

The Israelites were paralyzed because their eyes were locked on the size of the problem. David; however, fixed his eyes on God—His power and His faithfulness to keep His promises. The truth is, fear grows when we fixate on whatever we’re facing, and if we’re not careful, we can see even small trials turn into giants in our heart and mind. But courage and faith grow when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who has already won the ultimate victory.

In Hebrews 12:2 (BSB), we’re reminded, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He’s the real hero of this story and every story. Just as God used David to defeat Goliath, Jesus stepped in to defeat sin, death, and hell on our behalf.

So, whatever giant you’re facing—whether it’s fear, doubt, or something that feels too big to overcome—know this: You’re not in the battle alone. Step out in faith like David did, trusting that the God who delivered him is the same God who walks with you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, let His strength carry you through, and watch Him do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ask, think, or imagine!

Pause: Take a moment to reflect on the giants you may be facing in your life right now. Are you trying to fight them on your own, or are you trusting in Jesus, the true David, to fight for you?

Practice: This week, whenever you feel overwhelmed by a challenge, remind yourself that Jesus has already conquered the giants in your life. Place your trust in Him and rest in His victory.

Pray: Father, thank You for sending the true David who fought for me and overcome the ultimate enemy of sin and death. Thank You that the same Jesus who removed the sting of death is the same Jesus who still fights for me today and every day. I ask for Your help, Lord, in facing the things that come my way. Remind me that I’m not alone, that You have gone before me, and that Your will shall always be done. Remind me that You have already won the victory. Help me to trust in Your strength and to walk in the confidence that You’re fighting for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.