In the 1987 comedic movie, "The Princess Bride", written by William Goldman and directed by Rob Reiner, a one-time stable boy, Westley, returns after being missing and presumed dead for years. Upon his return, he sets out to be reunited with his true love, Buttercup (yep, that's her name).
What he finds, instead, is that she is promised to another - - a deceitful & self-centered prince - - who has hired a Sicilian self-proclaimed genius, a sword-playing Spaniard, and a Giant of epic strength, to kidnap her in order to start a profitable war. Discovering her predicament, the stable boy-turned-pirate sets out in pursuit.
As Westley closes in on Buttercup and her captors, the Spaniard stays behind to dispose of their pursuer while the genius and the giant drag the girl onward. However, Westley wins the fencing duel and, when the genius realizes that the Spaniard has failed, he sets the giant in ambush against Buttercup's true love.
Surely this frail, former stable hand is no match for such an enormous opponent. Certainly, this will be his demise. Click the arrow to watch it unfold:
It's your typical David vs. Goliath scene, but fought with a sense of civility and humor, and concluded with respect and appreciation. Cordial & polite. Nobody really gets hurt. It would be nice if that was how all of life's battles were fought. It would also be naive and, ultimately, disastrous to rely on that. Our enemy is real and he never fights fair.
God's Word gives us the true picture of how life really works in the original David vs. Goliath account, recorded in 1 Samuel, chapter 17. It was a time of war for God's people, the Israelites. Their army was camped on one hill and just across the valley was the army of the Philistines. Every morning & evening, for 40 days, a giant of a man named Goliath ambled forward. Over nine feet tall, wearing armor that weighed more than 125 pounds, carrying a spear with a 15-pound spearhead, and accompanied by his own personal shield-bearer, Goliath shouted his defiance & disdain toward God's people.
On day 41, a young shepherd shows up with supplies for his three brothers in the army. He witnesses the super-sized challenge of the enemy -- and it really lights his fuse. "Who is this guy who would defy the armies of the living God?", he asks. And, after a weak explanation from even weaker men, David approaches King Saul, recites a brief oral resume, and says, "Don't lose heart on account of this guy. Your servant will go and fight."
Saul finally consents and insists that David should wear the king's armor. But it's too big and too awkward. So it is, that David approaches the giant with the weapons of a shepherd - - a sling and five rocks. Goliath is insulted. "Am I a dog that you come after me with sticks?" But David's response reveals his wisdom, "You come at me with sword, and spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty,...whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me."
And David ran at Goliath while loading a stone into his sling. And still on the move, with sling whirling above his head, he unleashes a shot that catches the enemy warrior square in the forehead. Goliath falls. No dreams of large women. No dreams at all.
We all face our own giants. Problems that threaten to rob us of our courage to fight. Enemies. Enemies of all that God desires to accomplish in us, through us, and for us. There are, however, some qualities that we can cultivate in our lives that will help when we come up against these giants. David displayed seven of these qualities:
1. He was Committed - Verse 20 says he "left the flock". Commitment to one requires severing ties with others. If you are going to win the battles against the enemy of your soul, there are some things you are going to have to leave behind. You probably already know what they are for you.
2. He was Excited - Verse 22 tells us that upon arriving at the scene, David "ran to the battle lines". When's the last time you allowed yourself to dance in some youthful exuberance? God doesn't like you all sour & scrunch-faced. Loosen up. Laugh. Embrace some excitement.
3. He was Available - In the 32nd verse, David tells King Saul that "your servant will go", meaning he (David) would go. You see, David saw himself as a servant. And a true servant is always available.
4. He was Humble - "The LORD... will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." assures David in verse 37. He knew it wasn't by his own power that he would win. Nor did he seek the spotlight. That belongs to God.
5. He was Genuine - David was comfortable with who he was. He didn't need to look the part of a "Mighty Warrior". So he turned down Saul's armor. And you know what? That armor probably would've gotten him killed. The battlefields of life are littered with the shattered remains of posers.
6. He was Unashamed - In verse 45, David boldly asserts, "I come in the name of the LORD." Jesus says, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, I will be ashamed of him." (Luke 9:26)
7. He was Enterprising - Webster says a man who is "enterprising" is "marked by an energetic spirit". David didn't take the accepted approach to battle. He didn't worry about defending himself. He took the fight to Goliath (17:48-49).
If we possess these 7 qualities, our chances in the small struggles - - and in the behemoth battles - - increase dramatically. God is seeking men & women who will allow Him to mold them in these ways. But in the end, we must know that no amount of self-improvement will ever be enough.
Only the Power of God gives victory.
David said it: "The battle is the LORD's".
These are, indeed, challenging times.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
