Do you ever feel a bit like David? Considering the story from 1 Samuel 17, Goliath is the champion from Gath, who is tall and strong, he has heavy armour, and shouts out for some one from the opposing army to dare to face up to him in combat. He is strong and vocal, and challenges to see if there is anyone who would fight him. He is an imposing presence.

Goliath’s ranting is so intimidating, and no one wants to face him, till a young shepherd boy called David takes him on. He has no armour or fancy sword, no combat training, but he trusts that God will help him, and he vanquishes Goliath.

We can take this stories at different levels, but in our world today, it feels as if it is often the little person who struggles to get heard. It could be the person on hold, trying to get through to the call centre. It could be the person unfairly sanctioned by the benefit system. Or the person who has a true story to tell, but no one seems to care or listen.

We can feel alone and small,  a bit like David, fighting for our case against all odds. The obstacles we face in life can seem insurmountable. Sometimes the obstacles are within ourselves- our own fears or worries. But the story reminds us that if we trust God, the impossible can happen. We can see breakthrough, we can find an unlikely ally, or a new way forward. Sometimes something very small can have a powerful impact.

In Luke 1: 37 it says ” nothing is impossible with God.” Instead of noticing all the obstacles to progress, we need to focus on God’s power to bring change for the good. We might have waited a long time, we might feel discouraged or that it doesn’t matter anymore. Yet God notices even the number of hairs on our head, knows the word we will say even before it is upon our lips. He sees every injustice, and can do amazing things. And so we stand with David, and trust God for better days.

God of justice and goodness, You love to see what is right and true done on this earth. Lord Jesus we remember that you wept over the fate of Jerusalem, and the suffering of the people. We see how much is wrong in the earth, when people are cruel or vindictive, when people are greedy and selfish, and that as a result people lose their livelihood, are marginalised or oppressed. Lord Jesus forgive us when we get our armour on to fight back in the same terms as our oppressors. Help us to be as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove, to pray and trust and do your will. Holy Spirit, give courage to the oppressed, bring freedom to the enslaved. Soften the heart of the  bullies, so they might change their ways. Give us all insight as to how to see your will be done, to do justice, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God, Amen