Don't Count Your Chickens Before The Match

     There is an old southern proverb that states, "Don't count your chickens before
they hatch." We have other idiomatic expressions that have the same meaning
such as, "Don't jump the gun." The point is be careful what you say or do
because things may not turn out according to your plans. I have given the old
saying a little twist with a play on a word "Don't count your chickens before the
match." This is exactly what one character of Old Testament times did, and he
turned out to be on the receiving end of the match. No doubt we all remember
the story of David and Goliath recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Verses 8-11
tell us that "He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel...When Saul and all
Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid."
Goliath did these things again, speaking "the same words as before. And David
heard him." (v. 23) David accepted Goliath's challenge.

     Goliath was certain that he would make mince meat out of young David.
He knew victory was in his pocket. He promised to give David's flesh to the
birds of the air and the beasts of the field. (v.44) The question is, could or would
he follow thru with his promise?

     Statistically speaking Goliath was the overwhelming favorite. He had great
skill, great height, great experience, and great weaponry. Let's take a specific
look at their statistics.

     Goliath was a Champion [Heb. 'is-habbenayim; lit. "the man in between"]
(verses 4,23) This evidently means that Goliath fought to the death in representative
combat with an opponent. He was a remarkable soldier! David is described simply
as a shepherd. (v. 15) Goliath was nearly 10 feet tall; about 9 feet 9 inches. (v.4)
David was a young man, a boy. (Verses 42, 55, 56) Goliath wore a coat of mail
that weighed about 125 pounds. David had no coat of mail. He had to reject Saul's
armor. (verses 38-39) Goliath had a spear with an iron point that weighed about
15 pounds. David had a sling in his hand. (v. 40) Goliath had physical strength.
(v. 5-7) David had faith. (v. 37) Goliath had a big mouth. (verses 8,10,43,44)
David was humble but confident. (v. 47) Goliath had a shield bearer. (verses 7,41)
David had Yahweh. (verses 37, 46) If we look at the statistics through human eyes,
Goliath is the hands down winner before the match even starts! Perhaps we will
learn one day that you don't judge a book by its cover. Furthermore, it's not the
size of the dog in the fight that determines the winner, it's the size of the fight in
the dog.

     When the battle began the Philistine arose  and came close to meet David and
David "ran quickly" to meet the Philistine. (v.48) There was no time to lose. Just as
David ran in order to do his work for Yahweh, Philip ran to meet the Ethiopian
eunuch in order to teach him the gospel. (Acts 8:30) The scriptures teach us
we should "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the
Lord." (Romans 12:11, TNIV) The Philistine was armed with "heavy" weaponry,
and David had a sling and five smooth stones from the brook. (v.40) It is often the
case that big success comes through small things. Though David threw the stone,
Yahweh directed it and it struck the Philistine on the forehead and it sank into his
forehead. (verses 37,49) The Philistine fell on his face. (v.49) From pride to
humiliation! It is ironic that the very part of Goliath's body that was blaspheming the
God of Israel, is the part that hit the ground; his face! David cut off the head of the
"champion" of the Philistines! The victory was complete. Cut off the head and the
tail dies.

                                                Lessons Learned

     Yahweh gave David victory over the Philistine giant. In like manner we are
more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:31-37) Goliath was physically
larger than young David, but those who have God on their side are bigger than the
world. (2 Timothy 4:16-18; 1 Jno. 4:4; 5:4)   Pride robs you of your life. (Prov.
16:18) Goliath was certain that the battle was won and that he would be the victor.
Instead of feeding David's flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field as
he boastfully promised, Goliath's own sword was used to remove his proud head
from his body. Can anyone doubt that a person shouldn't count his chickens before
the match?

                                                                                                           RD

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