The story of David and Goliath is a famous tale about a brawny, well-trained, and intimidating Philistine warrior who was defeated by a young Jewish shepherd named David. What many people don’t realize, however, is that Goliath is actually an archetype for the devil. Beyond being just a fighter, he was crazy and mean, and he went out each morning to hurl insults at the Israelite soldiers. He seemed to have strength beyond the natural, and he stood at six cubits tall, was equipped with six pieces of armor, and carried a spearhead weighing 600 shekels. In other words, his attributes added up to the number 666. Behaving in a way that could only be characterized as animalistic, he wanted nothing more than to conquer and destroy. How shocked he must have been, then, to see a small-statured, inexperienced young man willing to take him on in battle. Yet while David lacked skill as a soldier, because he tended sheep and was used to protecting his flock, he was good with a slingshot. But even more importantly, he was good with God. He knew that the power to slay the giant was not in his hands, but in the Lord’s, and he saw himself as a conduit of His might. Backed by the force of faith, he slung one tiny stone with such velocity that it hit the Philistine between the eyes and took him down. Then, to seal the deal, he cut off his head with his own sword, and proved once more that the influence of evil is always crushed by the authority of God Almighty!

My friend, spiritually speaking, you are like David. With confidence in the strength of your Living Lord, there is no foe you can’t take on. Because Jesus is the King of your life, the power of Heaven flows through you to prevail over the power of darkness. As you pick up your weapon, which is God’s Word, and sling stones of faith as expressed through His promises, you hit the devil between the eyes and send him crashing to the ground. Though he can make noise, he is defeated, and he can’t stand in the presence of Christ’s mighty warrior!