“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:47
The story of David and Goliath is a very popular story in the Bible from which Christians (even non-Christians) are taking inspiration. I heard it when I was attending Sunday school as a boy, read it in Bible story books and even until now, I would read it again from the Bible when I face big trials in life.
The story is so familiar to us that most of us would readily refer to big trials gravely affecting our lives as “Goliath”. Then we would pray to God to send us our “David”, anchoring our faith on God’s promise of strength, courage and deliverance as He had empowered the shepherd boy, David.
Isn’t David’s prayer in 1 Samuel 17:47 seems to give resounding echoes as we imagine ourselves being in similar situation? “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Does God really send His “David” every time there are “Goliaths” challenging our faith and existence? Well, I believe so. God always sends His “Davids” to rescue us from every precarious situation that we are in.
Let me share you my life experience.
In the last quarter of 2009, I faced the grim possibility of quitting my job at Central Philippine University. I found myself the focus of harassment and persecution by no less than the university president himself.
When I began as Director of Communications in 1 June 2009, I discovered that the work students assigned in the Information Office, which was under my stead were not honest with their daily time record. I reprimanded them and filed a complaint to the Work Student Service Program office for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
Then I also questioned why these work students got the yearly outstanding rating despite the irregularities they are doing in their work and daily time record. I was surprised that in two occasions, the president confronted me, telling me to go “slow” with these work students. My formal complaint was never responded to. Ironically, three of these dishonest work students ended up being assigned in the office of the president the following semester.
One very heavy straw that was placed on the camel’s back was when my salary/benefit was diminished. They said I don’t deserve to receive honorarium because I was transferred from director to assistant chaplain, a position that does not have monthly honorarium.
However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was when after bearing receiving a meager diminished salary for several months, I got a very insulting text from the president one Monday morning, telling me “we need chaplains who do their job”.
Realizing that it’s about time that I do something to redeem my dignity, I filed a case with the National Labor Relationships Commission, which included among others, complaint for illegal diminution of salary and benefits.
My journey to search for justice wasn’t easy. It was a “Goliath” in itself. There were some who commented that I will never win the case. There were two noted Centralians who talked to me and told me to give up the case because I was fighting a “Goliath”.
Those who have wisdom to know what’s just and unjust encouraged me to be strong and pursue my fight for justice.
Remembering the story of David and Goliath, I prayed and asked God to send me His “David”.
I can relate to this! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Sir Jonan, it was a very tough trial but we know that if God is with us who can be against us.
That’s the reason it’s very important that we always allow God to go ahead of us by handing over our life’s circumstances to Him.