Many of us are familiar with the account of David’s encounter with Goliath because we grew up hearing it and watching the VeggieTales version. You remember, Dave and the Giant Pickle? It was the story that communicates how little guys can do big things, too. (Interrupted by Larry singing about his aunt Ruth with a beard and the Polish word for lip: usta!)

As an adult, though, revisiting this passage of scripture has stirred my heart and reminded me of a very important mandate God has given His children: the Secret Place.

From the moment in 1 Samuel 17 where David makes his entrance, it’s clear that David is bold and confident in the God he serves.

Verse two sets the scene: the men of Israel were encamped in the Valley of Elah, gathered in battle array against the Philistines. Neither King Saul nor any of his soldiers had the courage to stand against the Philistine’s champion, the giant named Goliath. Goliath had been presenting himself before the army of Israel consistently for 40 days, mocking their God, inviting anyone to fight him. No one dared answer his request.

When David arrives, however, the first recorded words out of his mouth are dripping with boldness. When he discovers the situation and Goliath’s reproach of God’s army, David responds to the men of Israel, “What shall be done to the man that smites this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (vs. 26)

Did you catch that? His thoughts immediately went to victory. In his mind, an Israelite was going to stand up to Goliath and win – so, what reward will he get? Because losing wasn’t even a possibility. If put into today’s lingo, he might have sounded something like this: “So when one of us defeats this fool, what reward will he get? This foolish outsider doesn’t know the God whose army he has insulted and mocked!”

In so few words David had reminded the Israelite army that not only had Goliath overlooked their God, but they had forgotten who they served and represented as well.

You see, David had just arrived to the front line of battle after marinating in the Secret Place. As a shepherd alone in the hills of Bethlehem, David had ample time to seek God’s face and learn about the God he served. This wasn’t simply a happy-go-lucky time where he pranced around with his animals and sang soft little hymns about the sun always shining; rather, during this season David had been confronted with real threats in the face of what he had learned about the living God. When we receive revelation about God, oftentimes we are faced with opposition that tests how deeply we believe that revelation.

We see this when David appeals to King Saul a couple of verses later. He explains that while he was the keeper of his father’s sheep, a lion or a bear would come and take one of his sheep. Instead of running away and praising God for protecting himself, David responded by going after whatever threat came against him. He had a firm understanding that the living God he served created the lion, the bear, the sheep, and himself – and if this God was on his side, nothing was too big or too dangerous or too (fill in the blank). He had learned that God was his faithful defender and protector, so when opposition arose, his response demonstrated that he firmly believed God to be those things.

David rightly saw God as the all-powerful Father that He is, even (or especially) in the face of the adversary.

David’s heart had learned that his God was true to His name – He was (and is) Jehovah, the living God; Jehovah Rapha, the living God who heals; Jehovah Jireh, the living God who provides; Jehovah Shalom, the living God our peace; and Jehovah Raah, the living God our shepherd.

In the Secret Place when he was hidden, not out on the frontline of battle, God took the time to grow David in his understanding, trust, and love for his Abba. You can feel the passion he felt in that first statement he made in verse 26! And that same passion is echoed in verse 37 where he confidently summarizes to King Saul, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” David’s unwavering faith was contagious – Saul quickly responds, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

---

Side note: King Saul is often criticized about his lack of faith in God, but here I just want to pause and say me, too, Saul. Me, too.

Saul did not have the same revelation of God’s character that David did. Saul did not trust God to faithfully be who He had always been. Saul, perhaps from unworthiness (study 1 Samuel 9:21), did not believe that God would protect him, love him, or fight for him. He harbored a works-based mentality. He was being used by God but struggled to carry out the assignments given to him. Saul was physically on the frontline of battle, but he carried a brave face with a timid heart.

Me, too, Saul. Me, too.

---

So here I applaud the Davids who have invested time in the Secret Place, and then courageously stood beside those on the frontline and reminded them who God is. Thank you to those of you who encourage and comfortingly say, “Let no man’s heart fail because of the enemy; I will go and fight this enemy knowing our God is the victor.” (vs. 32) Thank you for exercising your faith when my own faith has billowed in the wind. Thank you for your obedience and confidence. Thank you for standing up to Goliath when my experiences and trials have weakened my legs and caused me to sit down and watch the war. You Davids are refreshing and empowering the body of Christ.

---

You know the rest of the story. King Saul tried to dress David in the “appropriate” garments for battle, but they were too heavy. David discarded the sword, picked up his staff, slingshot, and five stones.

---

Quick rabbit trail – when I was in elementary school, a teacher at my church taught us that David picked up five stones because there are five letters in Jesus’s name (which, if I understand correctly, is only true of His name in English). As an adult I have learned that there is a more likely motivation than that. As you study the scriptures you will find in 2 Samuel 21 that Goliath had four relatives who were also giants. The theory here is that David picked up a stone for each one of them with the intention of killing them all. Talk about faith by works!!

---

Anyway, when David finally faced this foolish outsider who had the warriors of God’s army trembling with fear, he continued to honor God. Goliath tried to use his age-old tactics to frighten and intimidate David with threats and promises of harm – but God’s servant didn’t falter. His words are so powerful as is, so I’ll just type some of his response:

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (45-47, NKJV)

In the Secret Place David had learned that God is eager to reveal Himself to the world. 2 Chronicles 16:9 puts it this way: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” Towards the end of the Old Testament an angel tells the prophet Zechariah, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” David understood all of this because he had been in the Secret Place.

These scriptures may seem all over the place, but the point I’m trying to make is that from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the message is the same. The living God is seeking relationship with His children. He is drawing them to the Secret Place, inviting them to seek His face with all their hearts. He is saying, “I am your Father. I love you. Come get to know Me. Love Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Trust Me. Learn My ways. Live by My Spirit. Have communion with Me. Be My Representative to the world. Lead others to Me. Make My name great. Show the world who I am, that they may see the invitation extended to them. Invite My kingdom on earth. Follow My lead. Live the abundant life I paid for, on earth and for eternity.”

That is the purpose of the Secret Place mandate. That is what God wants. Then, now, and always. For David, for Saul, for me, for you.

We know how this account ends. David triumphed over Goliath. His act of faith revived the men of the army of Israel, and they continued on in victory.

It’s no wonder why God elevated David’s platform and anointed him as king. David had a surrendered heart that said yes to the mandates God gave him. He didn’t always get it perfectly right, but we are no different.

It’s my plea that the church will recognize this mandate is for everyone. Get into your Secret Place. Be like Jesus. Get alone with your Father and seek His face.

If you’re unsure about how exactly to do that, here are some great resources:

• Scriptures about seeking God
• John Piper article about seeking God
• Seven Principles to guide you
• Ryan Post podcast entitled “Hosting His Presence” (honestly all of the podcasts on Northside Assembly of God channel are biblical, challenging, encouraging, enlightening, etc.)
• Rio Revolution church sermon list

Hopefully that will get you started. If you have any questions, I’d love to pray with you, pray for you, answer to the best of my ability, or make any clarifications.

Answer that mandate, church! Love y’all.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” -Psalm 24:1