Article January 20, 1997 Issue

Don't be afraid of evil

Pauline D. Jenner

The shepherd boy, David, on a simple errand for his father, came to the valley of Elah, where his brothers were serving in the Israelite army. There he saw Goliath, the giant of Gath. Goliath was fully equipped for battle and backed by the Philistine army. Parading arrogantly on the opposite side of the valley, the giant was ridiculing the Israelites and challenging any one of them to a duel. The Israelites were immobilized by the challenge.

David took stock of the situation. He had proved in rescuing his sheep from both a lion and a bear that the power of God, which he relied on, was superior to the so-called power of any enemy. So he accepted Goliath's challenge. David said to him, "All this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands" (I Sam. 17:47). David's defeat of Goliath was a great victory for Israel.

We all face "Goliaths" from time to time. Perhaps you've met one this week! So how do we go about defeating them? One thing is certain: we need courage. But this doesn't mean that we need a powerful human will. True courage is better expressed through confidence in God and a willingness to trust Him.

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