PODCAST
The Language of Worship
January 25th, 2023
1 Samuel 17:41-50
In 1 Samuel 17, the cursing anger of Goliath is met with David’s language of worship. David’s declaration that he comes against Goliath “in the name of the Lord Almighty” is not magic. This is not a special weapon that the people of God can invoke. To think this way is to think we are somehow in control of God, and we know this is not the case!
This is a battle of worship. Goliath, with all the arrogance of a man who thinks he is a god, is utterly offended at the sight of David. Goliath wants others to fear him and be in awe of him. He wants to be worshipped. And here comes this boy! David, on the other hand, worships God. In place of the fear and awe of Goliath we, once again, find David expressing profound allegiance to God (v. 47).
The people of God are not patterned after the angry, violent, self-centered ways of Goliath—these ways are sadly on full display in our world. Instead, we are called to be a people who worship God—who follow the pattern Christ set for us (see Philippians 2:5-11).
Author: Dustin Metcalf
