The lessening of tensions between the superpowers and the emergence of democracy in Eastern Europe give us cause for great hope. Yet enormous challenges remain that loom like ominous giants threatening our lives and our futures, individually and collectively. Drug addiction, political repression, pollution, contagion, seemingly incurable diseases, and homelessness are just a few of the “goliaths” facing mankind. These foes would intimidate us and make us terribly afraid. They claim our sure defeat. Yet victories can be won over these troublesome opponents by applying God’s universal law of love to them through prayer and spiritual understanding.
An incredible victory in the midst of terror and war is recorded in the book of I Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible. David, a young shepherd boy, won a decisive battle with a giant warrior, Goliath of Gath. If the Philistines had prevailed, the Israelites would have been in slavery to them. This well-loved Bible story illustrates unsurpassed individual courage and confidence in an omnipotent God and the freedom that resulted from trusting Him to destroy the giant.
One of the most impressive aspects of this account is the simplicity of the weapon that was utilized to destroy the giant—one smooth stone. Hurling one smooth stone by means of a sling, David hit the giant with magnificent accuracy, causing him to fall to the ground, never to rise again. The arrogant giant’s taunts of power and threats of destruction had been stilled by David’s God-given ability to hit the mark with precision.
