I Samuel 17:41
“Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.”
What an intimidating opponent. Not all soldiers had a shield-bearer. Only those of importance. While David would have to fight him, he did hold the shield, protecting Goliath. This is like a third world country trying to muster a defense against modern, high tech military.
Most would be terrified, knowing their death was immenent. All the fighters in Israel, wouldn't accept the challenge. I would imagine for a couple of reasons, not only their death but the enslavement of the nation.
We will come against foes in our lifetime. Most are an annoyance, that complicate our days, but we know will pass. But this was a big deal. These are the types of problems that cause sleep loss and high stress. Lives are affected along with our loved ones.
The Lord will prepare us for these times. This wasn't the first time David faced tough odds. A few verses earlier we learned that one time he slew a bear and a different time he killed a lion. That's a big deal. Most would have died in either of those conflicts. But the Lord was preparing David for something big, this day.
We can easily think that this one is too big for us. I Corinthians 10:13 speaks to that, "No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." We will get through it. God is faithful.
Just as the Lord prepared David for the battle, so He will prepare us. He had the lion and the bear. Those were frightful, but not as sophisticated as Goliath. If we have a big conflict in our future, the Lord will prepare us as well. His nature as a Father tells us so.
The Lord knows all things. If something big is coming, He is aware. It would make sense that He would prepare us, just as David. Was David afraid? Probably, but not paralyzed by it. We see him eagerly accepting the challenge. The Lord must have given him confidence, but probably created him as a confident, competent person. We will be nervous, but not frozen in fear.
Lord, thank You for Your preparation and for regulating circumstances. Thank You that You will get us through.