Grace not only esteems us, it empowers us with a Godly confidence!
The story of David and Goliath is a brilliant expression of grace empowered confidence in action. A young boy named David follows his older brothers slowly creeping behind, careful to keep his distance as they march off to war. When David arrives he sees the Israelite army scared witless. His brothers are trembling in their boots alongside the other solders. He looks up to see Goliath, a brute of a man, dressed in full armor and his shadow blocks the sunrays. David hears arrogant words insulting his countrymen and worse even slighting God himself.
David compelled by his deep love for God decides to defend God’s honor and elects to fight Goliath. David’s compatriots were surprised because no-one was brave enough to face the giant in a one-on one battle. His brothers try and talk him out of it, telling him it is suicide, but, David holds one incredible secret he has a person relationship with God. His value, his strength and his confidence came from the grace of God. So David walked into battle with a hand full of stones and a homemade sling shot.
Goliath laughed at the spectacle and David carefully moved with stealth into the battle with God by his side. Goliath felt no fear; he was full of self confidence and watched this boy run towards him. Then before he could feel fear a stone hit his head and the giant of a man then collapsed. I am sure everyone’s mouths would have hung wide open in amazement. David knew God was with him, he knew God loved him and would help him. To the world David had no chance but to God he was unbeatable.
David sets us a great example, he did not trust in his gifting, talent, his looks or size on an earthly level, he had no chance in comparison to Goliath. He had nothing but the grace of God and His personal relationship with God. He knew with God’s strength Goliath was a beaten man. David had God-esteem and all the men on both sides of the battle looked on with self-esteem. Goliath was full of self-esteem; in fact he was so full he never questioned the possibility of defeat. Meanwhile David knew it was God’s victory he did not do it in his own strength.
We can find our strength and confidence in God’s grace, it will allow us to scale mighty mountains and overcome massive challenges that self-esteem would never provide. God’s grace will give us confidence but keep us free from pride and arrogance. It keeps us humble.
Let us know
- Where do you find confidence?
- Have you ever thought of God as a source of confidence?
- Can you see the difference between Godly confidence and the lie of self-esteem?
- Tell us about the time you found your confidence in God?
