1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NKJV)
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…whom you have defied…This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel…Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.’”
 
In analyzing David’s words to Goliath, we get a glimpse into how David intended to fight him, and why he wanted to fight.

From David’s speech, we see the how and the why of getting into any form of conflict, whether physical or spiritual. Here are a few lessons from David:
 
First and foremost, David never approached Goliath with any kind of human skill, wisdom, or strength.

David did not trust himself. That’s why he said, “All this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword or spear, for the battle is the Lord’s.”
 
Let’s constantly search our hearts to see whether there is any iota of self-confidence within us.

If there is confidence in anything of the flesh or self, then we have missed the mark in our spiritual preparation for battle.

We must always confess, “I come in the name of the Lord,” and not in our own name or ability.
 
Secondly, since you are not trusting in yourself, approach that conflict with great boldness.

You need to speak with words of assurance from your Lord and be able to categorically say, like David, “This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand.”
 
Don’t be afraid, shy, or timid in any God-ordained conflict. Be bold and audacious in your proclamation. That’s the stuff the Daniels and Josephs had in Babylon and Egypt.

They looked at the conflict before them and embraced it without shaking. That was the Stephen way also.
 
Thirdly, you must enter any conflict for only one reason: to defend the name of the Lord.

You are not called upon to physically assault anyone to defend your God’s name, but you need to stand in the battle because systems have arisen to tear it down.
 
Your motivation for entering conflict should be that “the earth may know that there is a God.” Our jealousy for the Lord’s name must compel us not to be silent.
 
Let’s not shy away from spiritual conflict, from speaking the truth, and from defending the Lord’s name in public space. Amen.