THE GOLIATH GAMBIT- BY PASTOR GREG ELKAN

Of all the battles fought between the Israelites and the Philistines, the one that featured _Goliath_ is undoubtedly the most famous. The setting was the valley of _Elah:_ The Philistines were stationed on a hill on one side of it, and the Israelites on a hill on the other. But rather than engage in a traditional battle, the Philistines put forth their champion, Goliath instead and asked Israel to send forth any champion of theirs to fight him. The nation whose champion won that one-on-one fight would be deemed the winner. 

Of course, that arrangement heavily favoured the Philistines. Goliath was over nine feet tall, wore armour that was heavy enough for a grown man to use as weights, and wielded a spear that was over 12 feet long. Furthermore, Goliath was an experienced fighter from his youth with many victories under his belt! 

There was clearly no one in Israel who was physically strong enough to defeat him. A fight with Goliath wouldn’t last an hour; yet for some strange reason, Goliath was not in a hurry. 1Sam 17:16 says, _Goliath came out and gave his challenge every morning and every evening for forty days.

Why? Because the aim was not to kill one Israelite, but to crumble the psyche of the entire nation of Israel to the point where they would be so intimidated, that they’d never attempt to confront the Philistines again! It was not a physical battle, it was a mental one. I call it *The Goliath Gambit:* using words to intimidate the enemy and make them lose confidence in themselves. 

It took one young Israelite, David, to see through the charade that was actually going on. Which was why David didn’t begin with a physical attack, but with some choice oratorical insults to Goliath’s person, Goliath’s people, and Goliath’s gods.

Beloved, the Devil is already a defeated foe because of the Cross, but he remains an expert in mental warfare. He can plague an unwary Believer with thoughts of anxiety, fear, worry, doubt, etc. He can turn a global lion to a whimpering chicken without lifting a finger; just through the thoughts he throws at you. 

But that gambit ends today! 2Cor 10:3-5 says, _“Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”_

Guard your mind, and give no place to the devil, (Eph 4:27). 

AMEN...

PASTOR GREG ELKAN

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