Know the facts, not the hype
60 SECOND BIBLE STUDY: Goliath was NOT all that! Taking a closer look: 1 Samuel 17 – Goliath may not have been as big and nasty as perceived, or as LARGE as the flannel graph silhouette from Sunday school, scholars believe he may have been perhaps only 6 1/2 feet to 9 feet. Super-sized large or not, there are other interesting facts to be had. When pictured, either mentally or vibrantly sketched, we usually see just the two of them facing off (Goliath & David) yet there was a 3rd person out there, Goliath’s shield bearer whom Goliath was standing behind (v7 & 41). Not so tough now big guy! But what is fascinating: when young David steps forward to fight, Goliath mocks him about being just a boy and coming at him with a stick, yet Goliath doesn’t change his stance, he doesn’t drop any weapons, doesn’t take off any shielding, or send the shield bearer away. This so called champion was still concerned. And rightly so, that boy who RAN towards him, was the future warrior-king (and killed him and cut off his head).
Sadly, the foes and so-called giants we face get deemed BIGGER and BADDER (Yes, that is a word according to my granddaughter) than they really are, in reality they are not all that, especially when we, like David, come against them in the name of the LORD Almighty! As a dear friend said, “Sometimes it’s the hype that undermines our confidence not the facts.” We are to direct our attention to the truth of God and not allow unhealthy thoughts, fears or perceptions to take us captive (like Goliath did the with the Isrealites, v11). I’ll leave us with the wise words of Paul, “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” (paraphrased, 2 Cor. 10:5 – The Message)
Know the facts, not the hype.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
Inspired Fountain 
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