Give Me a Man

The Valley of Elah stretched silent between two ridges. On one side stood Israel’s trembling army; on the other, the Philistines. For forty days, a single voice shattered the quiet. A giant named Goliath bellowed across the valley, “Give me a man!”

Every morning and evening, the same taunt echoed through the camp. It was more than a military challenge; it was a spiritual one. Fear had replaced faith. The people of God, armed and assembled, had forgotten who fought for them.

A World Without a Champion

When Goliath called for a man, Israel had none to send. Saul, their tallest and most qualified warrior, hid in his tent. The nation that once carried God’s promises stood silent under the shadow of intimidation.

But this wasn’t new. From Adam to Moses, humanity had long proven unable to stand. Adam listened to the serpent.
Noah conquered the flood but not his flesh. Abraham believed yet still doubted. Moses faced Pharaoh but fell to anger.

Every man failed to meet the moment. Every would-be champion eventually fell. Humanity needed a representative who would not crumble under sin’s weight.

Heaven’s Answer

When Goliath cried, “Give me a man,” he didn’t know heaven would one day answer. Centuries later, another shepherd stepped onto the field—Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, raised in obscurity, anointed for victory.

David’s confrontation with Goliath was a shadow of a greater battle to come. Just as David faced the enemy of Israel, Jesus would face the enemy of all humanity. He entered the valley of sin, armed not with sword or spear, but with obedience and a cross. When He declared, “It is finished,” the cry of the ages was answered. The victory of one Man became the victory of all.

The Voice in the Valley

Sin still shouts. It mocks and reminds us of every failure. “You’re too weak.” “You’ll never change.” “You’ve failed too many times.”

But Jesus came for the trembling and the broken. He fought the battle we could not win. Where Adam hid, Christ stood. Where others fell, He conquered. His victory is now ours.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.” The Champion has already claimed the field.

The Victory of One Became the Victory of All

David’s triumph over Goliath became Israel’s triumph. They hadn’t lifted a weapon, yet they shared the victory. The same is true for us.
Christ’s obedience counts for the disobedient. His righteousness covers the guilty. His resurrection secures life for the dying.

Grace means the one who ran away can now stand again. The prodigal can come home clothed in mercy. The fearful can shout with confidence: The battle is won.

Our Response

After David’s victory, Jonathan—Saul’s son—laid down his armor before him, surrendering his claim to the throne. He recognized the true anointing rested on David. That’s what faith looks like: surrendering our own strength and resting in the finished work of Christ.

The valley’s challenge still echoes: “Give me a man.” Heaven’s answer remains: “There is a Man.” His name is Jesus.

He entered the valley none of us could, crushed sin and death beneath His feet, and gave us His victory.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57

If you’ve been fighting in your own strength, take heart. The battle has already been won. The Man who stood in your place still stands today—and His victory is yours.