June Presidency Message

Meeting Your Goliath


In 1 Samuel 17 : 40-50 we read about David and Goliath. Most of us are familiar with this part of the story, but I would suggest you go and get your scriptures, and read all of chapter 17. Maybe it is because I have all boys, but this is a very detailed and intriguing war story, As you read this chapter take a good look at Goliath, Saul and David.

Let’s pick up the story in verse 34. Saul is trying to convince David not to fight, but eventually tells David “Go and the Lord be with thee.” Saul then arms David with his armour. It wasn’t made for David, and doesn’t fit. David realizes the armour is more of a hinderance than help and removes it. He goes to the brook and picks 5 smooth stones. Armed with a staff, a sling shot and the stones, David approaches Goliath. Goliath is not impressed with his opponent and threatens to make a feast for the fowls and beasts out of him.

At this point I would have turned and ran. Ran as fast as I could. I do not like contention and war is definitely contentious. But not David,. His is a “just cause”, and David is a righteous lad who had the courage and the faith to face insurmountable odds when all others hesitated, and to redeem the name of Israel by facing the giant in his life. Listen to David’s rebuke to Goliath:

“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And 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.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47.)

The challenge is on now. Goliath approaches David, David runs to meet him. He puts a stone in his sling, slangs it and kills Goliath. This battle has been won.

None of us is exempt from Goliaths in our lives. Some of these challenges or battles may include health, finances, discouragement, doubt, greed, envy, pride, lust, selfishness, employment, word of wisdom, a sharp tongue. In an article to the youth* President Monson counsels: Does he [Goliath] stand squarely between you and your desired happiness? Your Goliath may not carry a sword or hurl a verbal challenge of insult that all may hear and force you to decision. He may not be ten feet tall, but he likely will appear equally as formidable, and his silent challenge may shame and embarrass.

The giant you face will not diminish in size nor in power or strength by your vain hoping, wishing, or waiting for him to do so. Rather, he increases in power as his hold upon you tightens.

The battle for our souls is no less important that the battle fought by David. The enemy is no less formidable, the help of Almighty God no farther away. What will our action be? Like David of old, “our cause is just.” We have been placed upon earth not to fail or fall victim to temptation’s snare, but rather to succeed. Our giant, our Goliath, must be conquered.

David went to the brook and carefully selected five smooth stones with which he might meet his enemy. He was deliberate in his selection, for there could be no turning back, no second chance—this battle was to be decisive.

Just as David went to the brook, well might we go to our source of supply—the Lord. What polished stones will you select to defeat the Goliath that is robbing you of your happiness by smothering your opportunities? May I offer suggestions.

1. Courage:
The stone of COURAGE will be essential to your victory. As we survey the challenges of life, that which is easy is rarely right. In fact, the course that we should properly follow appears at times impossible, impenetrable, hopeless.

2. Effort:
The stone of EFFORT—mental effort and physical effort.

The decision to overcome a fault or correct a weakness is an actual step in the process of doing so. “Thrust in thy sickle with thy might” was not spoken of missionary work alone. (missionary work)

3. Humility
Then there must be in our selection the stone of HUMILITY, for haven’t we been told through divine revelation that when we are humble, the Lord, our God, will lead us by the hand and give us answer to our prayers?

4. Prayer
And who would go forth to battle his Goliath without the stone of PRAYER, remembering that the recognition of a power higher than oneself is in no way debasing; rather, it exalts.

5. Love of Duty
Finally, let us choose the stone of LOVE OF DUTY. Duty is not merely to do the thing we ought to do, but to do it when we should, whether we like it or not.

Should there be a Goliath in our lives, or a giant called by any other name, we need not “flee” or be “sore afraid” as we go up to battle against him. Rather we can find assurance and receive divine help from Him of whom David wrote in his inspired psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. … Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:1, 4).
Victory will be ours.

Smiles,
Corinne Yee


* “Meeting Your Goliath” New Era June 2008

June Activity - June 2