Fear or Faith
1 Samuel 17:1–30

Main Truth

Fear focuses on the size of the problem and forgets the greatness of God. Faith focuses on the living God and sees the problem from the proper perspective.

Introduction

The account of David and Goliath is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible. That familiarity can be helpful, but it can also cause us to overlook important truths.

Before David ever stepped onto the battlefield, Scripture shows us two very different ways of seeing the same situation. Israel looked at Goliath through the eyes of fear. David looked at him through the eyes of faith.

1. The Enemy Appears Unbeatable

1 Samuel 17:1–11

The Philistine and Israelite armies gathered on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah. Between them stood a brook and an open battlefield.

From the Philistine camp came Goliath of Gath.

• He stood approximately nine and a half feet tall.
• His bronze armor weighed between 125 and 150 pounds.
• The head of his spear weighed approximately fifteen pounds.
• A shield-bearer walked before him.
• He was physically imposing and fully prepared for battle.

Goliath challenged Israel to send one man to fight him. The outcome of that individual battle would determine which nation would serve the other.

Goliath was called a “champion,” a term describing the man who stood between two armies and represented his entire people.

Rather than responding with courage, Saul and the soldiers of Israel were “dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).

The problem was real

Goliath was not imaginary. His strength, armor, and threats were genuine. Faith does not deny the reality of the problem. Faith simply refuses to believe that the problem is greater than God.

2. David Faithfully Serves Where God Has Placed Him

1 Samuel 17:12–22

David was the youngest son of Jesse. While his three oldest brothers served in Saul’s army, David divided his time between serving Saul and caring for his father’s sheep.

When Jesse sent David to deliver food to his brothers, David obeyed.

• He rose early in the morning.
• He left the sheep with another keeper.
• He carried the provisions to the camp.
• He delivered the supplies responsibly.
• He went to check on his brothers.

David did not arrive at the battlefield seeking attention or recognition. He came because his father had given him a task.

Faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater ones

Before David faced a giant, he faithfully tended sheep and delivered groceries. God often prepares His servants through ordinary acts of obedience before placing them in extraordinary circumstances.

3. Fear Sees the Giant but Forgets God

1 Samuel 17:23–25

For forty days, Goliath came forward morning and evening to challenge Israel. Each time he appeared, the Israelites responded in the same way:

• They saw his size.
• They heard his threats.
• They remembered their weakness.
• They fled in fear.

The soldiers talked about the reward Saul had promised to the man who defeated Goliath: riches, marriage to the king’s daughter, and freedom from taxation for his family. Yet no one was willing to step forward.

The army saw Goliath only as an enormous military problem. They had lost sight of the God who had delivered Israel throughout its history.

Fear magnifies the problem

Fear causes us to stare at what threatens us until it fills our entire field of vision. It measures the obstacle while forgetting the strength, presence, and promises of God.

4. Faith Sees the Living God

1 Samuel 17:26–30

David heard the same challenge and saw the same giant, but he responded differently.

He asked: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” — 1 Samuel 17:26, ESV

David did not primarily see Goliath as an enemy of Israel. He saw him as a man who was defying the living God.

The Israelite soldiers compared themselves to Goliath and concluded that they could not win. David compared Goliath to God and concluded that the giant had no right to stand against God’s people.

Even when David’s older brother Eliab criticized his motives, David did not allow the accusation to distract him. He turned to others and continued asking about the challenge.

Faith puts the problem in perspective

Saul and his soldiers thought, “Goliath is too big to defeat.”

David thought, “Goliath is too small to defy the living God.”

Faith does not rest in personal strength, intelligence, optimism, or the amount of faith we possess. Biblical faith comes from knowing the Lord and trusting His character.

Application

Examine what controls your perspective

When difficulties arise, what receives most of your attention—the size of the problem or the greatness of God?

Remember that faith is not denial

Faith does not pretend that giants are small. It remembers that God is greater.

Be faithful in ordinary responsibilities

David’s courage on the battlefield was connected to his previous faithfulness in the pasture. Serve God faithfully in the responsibilities He has already placed before you.

Refuse to let criticism distract you

Eliab misunderstood and criticized David. Faithfulness sometimes requires continuing forward even when others question your motives.

Trust the presence and promises of God

The foundation of courage is not confidence in ourselves but confidence in the Lord.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
—Isaiah 41:10