Reading: This day will the LORD deliver thee

[Goliath] into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee. 1 Samuel 17:46

True faith is neither chilled by a cold reception nor cooled by outward difficulties: it looks away from both, unto Him who is the ground of faith. If God be for us, it matters not who is against us.

Notice what David said to the giant: “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied (1 Samuel 17:45). The “name of the Lord” was both David’s defense and offense. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” By “the name of the Lord” is meant the attributes and perfections of God by which He is made known, and which are the strength and security of His people. His goodness, His grace, and His mercy are their defense. His favor covers them about, as a shield; His justice protects them from all injuries and insults. His truth and faithfulness preserve them. They are kept by His power, as in a garrison, and His unchangeableness is a reason why they are not consumed. Because our cause is so connected to God’s name, we might rest secure that we shall gain the victory in Him.

But that name is also the offense of the Christian. Imagine David walking away from the scene with that massive and heavy head in hand. Surely there is some illustration here of Christ’s victory over Satan. Referring to His cross work, we read of Christ in Colossians 2:15: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Faith in God’s Christ is the offense of the Christian, announced victory in advance. Let us therefore, look again and often to Christ.

Great things, heroic actions, and wonderful victories, are [not] ascribed to faith…but of Christ the object of [faith], as supported, strengthened, assisted, and animated by him: and then it does wonders, when it is enabled to hold Christ, its shield, in its hand, against every enemy that opposes. —John Gill