Goliath challenged the Israelites: " 'I defy the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man and let us fight together.' Saul and all the men of Israel, when they heard this challenge of the Philistine, were dismayed and terror-stricken" (1 Sm 17:10-11). Goliath is usually uncontested. He is so gigantic and intimidating that most people don't even try to fight him.

Occasionally, a fool accepts Goliath's challenge, and every time the fool is crushed. His flesh is left "for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field" (1 Sm 17:44).

Rarely, a man or woman of faith fights Goliath. Like David, these men and women have the Spirit of the Lord rushing on them (1 Sm 16:13). They always defeat Goliath, "for the battle is the Lord's,"

Today's Goliath is secular humanism as manifested in Planned Parenthood, communist China, most governments, most of the mass media, and most businesses. This Goliath is so gigantic that he is a culture, the culture of death. It is humanly impossible to defeat him, but "nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37). We are certain of victory because Jesus has already won the victory by His death and resurrection. He is only waiting for His enemies to be placed beneath His feet (Heb 10:13). Because He has won, we will win. "Not by might, not by power, but by My power, says the Lord" (Zec 4:6, our transl).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 21, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1999