David and Goliath: A Revitalization Story

By Jim McComas

Since I began my role of director of church revitalization for North American Ministries, it has been amazing to me how many Bible stories deal with different aspects of this topic. Nehemiah could be considered the first “revitalizer” of the Old Testament. Certainly, the Apostle Paul could be viewed as both a pioneer church planter and revitalizer. It’s not likely that many have considered the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel 17 as a classic revitalization tale, but I believe five ingredients in the story give us some powerful lessons for church revitalization:

A powerful enemy. The Philistines were loud and proud, large and in charge. They had a vocal spokesman in Goliath. The goal of this enemy was the complete and total destruction of God’s people, the children of Israel.
Today, we, as God’s people, also have an enemy—the devil. He has some vocal spokesmen in this wicked world in which we live, and their goal is the complete and utter destruction of the army of God.

A powerless army. The Army of Israel was gathered on the field of battle, ready for war. Unfortunately, they were doing just about everything but what an Army was built to do—engage the enemy!

The story is told of a Civil War general who ordered an advance on the enemy. One regiment did not heed the call to move forward. Upon questioning by the general as to why they had stayed where they were, their commander sent back this reply: “General, I am persuaded that any further display of valor by my troops will bring them into direct contact with the enemy.”
The American Church today still gathers each Sunday. We show up, dress up, and our schedules are filled up. Unfortunately, in all our busyness, we are not taking the fight to the enemy. An army is not built for the parade ground; it’s built for the battlefield.

A passionate patriot. This difference maker showed up in the middle of the fight. Just a young shepherd boy, David did three important things that we need to do as well:

• He analyzed the situation. Before he gave opinions, advice, or commentary, he studied what was going on. He watched Goliath issue his challenge, and he observed his brothers, friends, and countrymen run in terror.
  

• He stated the problem. David declared what everybody knew but nobody would admit: this wasn’t right. Someone needed to stand up to Goliath. Someone needed to defend God and the right.
  

• He offered a solution. David didn’t just criticize the status quo. He offered a choice for change and volunteered himself as the change agent! He knew Goliath needed to be whipped, and he offered to get the job done with God’s help.

A pitiful response. Finally, the children of Israel got fighting mad. Finally, they got angry enough to confront someone. The bad news? It wasn’t Goliath at whom they directed their anger; it was David. They questioned his motives, disparaged his character, and belittled his bravery. Why? I believe it was easier for them to fight someone familiar rather than the real enemy.

Free Will Baptists have this down to a science. We are experts at tearing each other down, while the real enemy runs rampant and unopposed. If we are going to see revival in our churches and in our movement, we must stop fighting each other and aim our attacks at the devil.

A power hungry potentate. David not only had to battle his bitter brothers, he had to fight a power-hungry king. Saul, who had done nothing to stop Goliath for 40 days, now insisted David use his armor. Why? Because “We’ve always done it this way!” If we are going to revitalize our churches, we must be willing to get out of our comfort zones and do things differently.

A probing question. David eventually was victorious over Goliath. He battled through friends and family to get to the real enemy. What kept him going through it all? I believe the secret can be found in his thought-provoking question: “Is there not a cause?”
David knew he had something worth fighting for. I believe our families, our churches, our country, and the souls of men, women, boys, and girls are worth the fight. Let’s get busy working together to defeat the real enemy.

About the Writer: Jim McComas is director of Church Revitalization for North American Ministries.