Who roots for the “underdog” to win? David seemed like an underdog to the people who watched him approach a giant in battle. But was David really the long shot to win?
David had killed lions and bears that approached his father’s sheep to eat them. He was a worshipper of God. As he worshipped the Lord, the Lord revealed to David His mighty power and love for people. Thus, before the battle begun, David knew that the Lord was well able to defeat the evil giant.
His opponent served a god that was not a god. His people’s god was made by human hands. It was lifeless, deaf, mute, and lame. The giant assumed that mere intimidation would be enough to defeat God’s people. So, he stood before them and dared someone to defy him. He had armor and weapons. He was gargantuan in size. His people felt confident that no one could defeat him.
The Philistines were horrified when a young man defeated their champion with a stone and a sling. If one of the least among the Israelites could kill and behead their champion, what could the rest of their soldiers do?
How should we apply David’s victory over the giant to our own lives? Could it be that we give the devil too much credit? The Lord describes the devil’s demise, “How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms.’” [1]
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” [2]
Thanks to the Son of David, who also happens to be the Son of God, the devil has an expiration date. Though he is currently defiant against God, he has an appointment with destruction. Jesus Christ wins.
[1] Isaiah 14:12-16
[2] Revelation 20:10
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