David, a Man After God’s HeartSample

Standing up for God’s honor

“I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)

Israel was at war with the Philistines. Instead of sending their whole army, the Philistines challenged Israel to fight with their most feared soldier, a heavily armed giant named Goliath. If he was killed by one of Israel’s soldiers, this would settle the battle and all the Philistines would become servants of the Israelites. But if Goliath won, the Israelites would be enslaved by the Philistines instead.

This was not merely a battle between two people groups. It was also a spiritual battle: Goliath had “defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:36). That was unbearable for David. Although he clearly was no match for this giant, he decided to fight him in God’s name. He was sure God would deliver this man in his hand, “that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel”. And God did. The Philistine was killed by a little stone that David slung.

For David, the honor of God was more important than his own life. Would you dare to risk your life or career for God’s sake, like David did? Have you ever been in a position where you were challenged to take great risks for an important and noble cause? What did you do?