Article September 29, 1928 Issue

Overcoming Goliaths

MINNIE SANTA BELL

What a wonderful story is that of David in his contest with the Philistine giant, Goliath of Gath! How we always admired David's courage in facing the enemy, who was armed with the material weapons deemed necessary for warfare, while the shepherd boy had only a sling and a few stones; but he had something besides these far greater and more powerful, unseen by the material senses—even a wonderful trust in God. David's courage being sustained by this trust, God delivered him out of the paw of the lion and of the bear, when they came seeking to destroy his sheep. And he never doubted God's power to deliver him out of the hand of this vain boaster of material strength.

The story means much to the earnest student of Christian Science who looks deeper than the surface. He knows that there is in it some lesson for him, some truth needing earnest seeking, which when found will help him in his daily battle against error. Through the illuminating teaching of Christian Science we learn that "metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 269). So, we see that the great champion of the Philistine army, the vain Goliath, boasting of his own power and strength, typifies the universal belief in evil as powerful and able to make men suffer; but thought clad in the "whole armour of God" is invincible. On page 380 of Science and Health we read, "Truth is always the victor."

Error, typified by Goliath, presents itself in many forms. To one, it may seem a hasty temper vaunting itself against the "armies of the living God," against thoughts of gentleness, kindness, and other spiritual qualities. Again, doctors may have decreed that one must be a lifelong sufferer because of a so-called incurable disease. Or yet again, Goliath may appear as a sense of despondency or depression, arguing that we have failed to work out our problem. Many and various are the dreams of mortal mind trying to implant fear, and so unfitting us for the battle against evil belief; but they can and will be routed if we face them fearlessly, as did David, realizing that we go to meet the enemy "in the name of the Lord."

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