If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know we recently talked about running with a God-given vision. We explored how to determine whether your vision is truly from God, how to execute it, and even how to handle opposition. You can check out that post here if you missed it.
Today, I want us to explore another important question: What shapes your perspective?
Your perspective—how you see yourself, your challenges, and even your God-given vision—can determine whether or not you move forward, especially when what lies ahead feels enormous, impossible, or even terrifying. Let’s be honest: anything God asks us to do is always bigger than us. But the question is, how do we see it? How do we frame it in our minds?
To explore this, we’re diving into one of the most iconic biblical stories—David and Goliath.
Setting the Scene
The story of David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17, but let’s set the stage. At this point in history, the Philistines and the Israelites were at a standstill, each camped on opposite hills with a valley in between them. The Philistines, looking to avoid mass casualties, decided to settle the matter with a one-on-one combat challenge. Enter Goliath.
Goliath, the Philistines’ champion, was a beast of a man—standing about 9 feet 9 inches tall (for comparison, the tallest NBA player, Sun MingMing, is 7 feet 9 inches). Covered head to toe in bronze armor, carrying a massive spear, and boasting a history of being an experienced warrior, Goliath was intimidating, to say the least. For 40 days, he taunted the Israelites, challenging anyone to face him, while simultaneously mocking their God.
Now imagine being an Israelite soldier. Goliath wasn’t just big—he was an absolute tank. From their perspective, Goliath was invincible. No one dared step forward.
Enter David
David, the youngest son of Jesse, wasn’t even part of the army. He was a shepherd sent by his father to deliver food to his brothers, who were among the soldiers. Upon arriving at the battlefield, David hears Goliath’s taunts and immediately sees the situation differently.
Where others saw an insurmountable obstacle, David saw an opportunity to defend the name of God.
David’s Perspective
David is brought before King Saul and volunteers to fight Goliath. Naturally, Saul is skeptical. But David recounts his past victories over lions and bears while shepherding, pointing out that the same God who delivered him in those moments would deliver him again.
When Saul tries to outfit David in armor, David declines. It doesn’t fit him—it’s not his style. Instead, he sticks to what he knows: a sling, five smooth stones, and his faith in God.
Here’s where the story gets interesting.
But first, let’s detour into some battle strategy to really understand what’s happening.
The Art of War
In ancient warfare, there were three main types of warriors:
- Cavalry: Soldiers on horseback or in chariots.
- Infantry: Foot soldiers equipped with armor, swords, and shields.
- Artillery: Long-range fighters like slingers and archers.
Each had its strengths and weaknesses. The cavalry could outrun the artillery, the infantry could hold their ground against the cavalry, and the artillery could decimate the infantry from a distance.
David, as a slinger, was part of the artillery. Slingers weren’t just kids tossing pebbles—they were highly skilled warriors who could launch projectiles with deadly accuracy. A well-aimed slingstone could hit a target at speeds comparable to a modern handgun.
Goliath, on the other hand, was infantry—strong, heavily armored, and designed for close combat. He expected to fight another infantryman in hand-to-hand combat. But David had other plans.
The Battle
As Goliath taunted David, he assumed the boy would approach him as an infantryman. “Come here,” he shouted, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
But David didn’t play by Goliath’s rules. Instead, he used his skills as a slinger. From a distance, he swung his sling with practiced precision, targeting the only vulnerable part of Goliath’s body—his forehead.
And with that single stone, Goliath fell face down.
What Can We Learn from David’s Perspective?
David’s victory wasn’t just about his skill; it was about his perspective. While others saw Goliath as an insurmountable enemy, David saw him as a target too big to miss.
Here are the lessons we can draw from David:
- David was moved by a higher purpose: Goliath wasn’t just insulting Israel—he was mocking God. David’s motivation wasn’t personal glory.
- David had absolute faith in God: His confidence wasn’t in his sling or his abilities but in God’s power to deliver him. He trusted that the same God who had rescued him before would do so again.
- David had trained in secret and fine-tuned his skill: David wasn’t just lucky. Slinging required precision and practice, and David’s ability to make the shot while running demonstrated a high level of expertise. His private training as a shepherd prepared him for this moment.
- David had showcased his skill before: His previous victories over lions and bears weren’t random—they were critical training grounds. Those smaller battles strengthened his faith and proved to him that God’s power could deliver him from greater threats.
- David used what he knew: He didn’t try to fit into Saul’s armor or fight like Goliath expected. He leaned into his God-given abilities, using the tools and strategies he was familiar with.
- David saw opportunity, not an obstacle: Where others saw an unbeatable giant, David saw a chance for God to demonstrate His power.
Your Perspective Shapes Your Outcome
The way you view your challenges will determine how you face them. Are you paralyzed by fear, or are you empowered by faith? Do you see giants as obstacles too big to overcome, or as opportunities to showcase God’s greatness?
David’s story reminds us that God doesn’t call us to battles we’re ill-equipped for. He’s given us the tools, the training, and most importantly, His presence to overcome any challenge.
So, the next time you’re staring down a giant, ask yourself: What’s my perspective?
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Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
T.M. Kayode 
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