The first two kings of Israel could not have been more different. Saul was strong and selfish; David loved and worshiped the Lord. Both of them began their career with a gripping story of military greatness, but even those were utterly unique. When Saul defeated the Ammonites and unified the kingdom, he was glorified as a great king. But on the other hand, when David faced off against a mighty Philistine giant named Goliath and defeated him, he made it clear: all glory and honor belonged to God alone.
The glory that is due to the Heavenly King cannot be measured, and the seriousness of cursing him, or otherwise refusing him glory, cannot be overstated. This is because he is good beyond imagination; he loves steadfastly and eternally; he created the world and holds it together by his power; and by grace he decides to bless his people who could never deserve it. Goliath’s blasphemy really was that big of a deal.
Many people have tried to make this famous story about us and our own ability to conquer giants in our own lives. But David is really not the hero of the story; the Almighty God is! His was the battle, his was the victory, and his was the glory afterward. If there’s any application for us today, it’s the reminder that God conquers our giants, because all things are under his dominion. So how great is it to be God’s beloved people! What a wonderful gift that is! We get to see God’s unfathomable glory and power and goodness play out for our benefit. By sheer amazing grace, by no merit of our own, God glorifies us and grants us victories in our battles. And so we glorify him in return; we respond with overwhelmed awe and emphatic gratitude. We elevate the Lord our God and give him all the glory we’re able to give.
The Lord is God, and there is no other. To him alone be the glory, because he alone is worthy of it all!
