Many of us were taught the Bible story of the unlikely David, who managed to take down the fierce giant Goliath with only a slingshot and a smooth stone from a nearby stream. But what we sometimes miss is the story isn’t about David or about unlikely victors — it’s about how the battle already belonged to God. David merely allowed himself to be God’s instrument.
As young David stood before Goliath, he told the Philistine that God was going to ensure his triumph.
When this happens, David said, “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, NIV).
What does it mean that the battle is the Lord’s? Do all battles belong to the Lord? The answer, of course, is yes — and here’s why.
How Do We Know That Battles Belong to God?
We know God is the supreme, almighty ruler of the universe, and that all things come from Him. He has a purpose and a plan, and His will is done regardless of human interference.
However, it is those humans who seek to understand the will of God, who bring themselves into alignment with His plan and His way, who find blessing.
When we choose to be on God’s side and follow God’s commands, He carries us along with Him toward His ultimate plan: the fulfillment of His glorious Kingdom here on earth. And in life, we see this happen, too.
For instance, when God led His people the Israelites out of Egypt, He pledged to take them to the Promised Land, where they would live in prosperity. Not all who left Egypt under His leadership made it, however. Some chose to follow false gods along the way, or defied His commands and died in the wilderness.
After 40 years, when the people were finally preparing to enter the Promised Land now under the watch of Joshua, there was one problem — the Promised Land wasn’t vacant and ready for the taking. The people still needed to fight to gain access to their land. Even though victory was assured, it wasn’t merely handed to them. They needed to step out in faith and in obedience.
God promised Joshua He would be with him every step of the way, just as He’d been with Moses.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9).
God went before them into every battle, assuring their victory. The battle belonged to God already — they only needed to do the fighting.
God had certain rules for each battle. Sometimes they had to kill everyone in a city. Other times, they could keep some of the spoils of battle. Other times, their directions were unorthodox, such as having to walk around the city of Jericho until the walls fell.
What matters is that they followed God’s directions, heeded His commands. When they did so, they were successful.
Why Did David Say This Battle Belongs to the Lord?
Over the years, the people began to fall away from God. Fear and lack of faith prevented many a victory. God established a king over the Israelites, but this king, Saul, went astray, becoming corrupt.
Saul began to follow his own rules of battle, not God’s. By the time the terrified Israelites faced a massive army of Philistines, including the giant Goliath, they were overcome with fear.
But David, a man after God’s own heart, acted in accordance with God’s wishes. Shocked that the people were cowering before Goliath, he told King Saul not to worry — even though he was young and nowhere near physically as strong or capable as the giant, he would fight the Philistine in the name of the Lord.
He told Saul he had rescued his family’s sheep many times from bears and lions because of God’s protection, and that the giant was no different than these animals.
As he told King Saul, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). David wore no armor and carried no sword, only his slingshot, five small stones, and a staff.
Goliath taunted David as the young man approached him. David said to the Philistine,
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45-46).
The battle “is the Lord’s,” David added (v. 47) — then slung a stone directly at the giant, taking him down. Then he killed the felled man with the giant’s own sword, claiming the victory for God and for Israel.
In both his words and his actions, David reminded the people of what God had said to Joshua and to so many before them. God was in control. No one is as mighty as the Lord. Whatever the Lord wills will be.
The people needed this reminder. After a time of going their own way, they’d seen firsthand how one man, armed with only the name of God, emerged victoriously.
Do Battles Today Still Belong to the Lord?
It’s not only the battles of old that belong to the Lord. Indeed, all battles belong to God, whether those fought between human beings with weapons or words or those fought in the spiritual realm.
Ephesians 6 describes the armor of God we are to put on to fight our battles, urging us, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
This armor includes faith, truth, salvation, righteousness, and ready peace, stronger than any physical shield or sword, or iron breastplate.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the battle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
But God will prevail, now and forever. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). His Kingdom will have no end.
What Does the Bible Say about the Lord’s Battles?
Here are some other scriptures about God reigning supreme over battles, whether physical or spiritual:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (Psalm 91:1-4).
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:28-29).
So rest assured that God’s plan will come to fruition. All battles belong to Him, and when we are with the Lord, we don’t have to worry about a thing. He will take care of us on earth and in heaven, now and forever.
For further reading:
Will God Bring Me Through This Battle?
Spiritual Warfare Prayers for Strength and Protection in the Battle
Does God Really Give His Toughest Battles to His Strongest Soldiers?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Drazen Zigic
