(1 Samuel 17:48-51)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday I shared with you that David said to Goliath, “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.” This teenage shepherd boy, with nothing but a slingshot, a stone, a shepherd’s staff, and the grace of God, stood against a Philistine battle-tested, 9ft. tall, hardened elite Soldier. This would be like a teenage paperboy attempting to fight against a member of Seal Team 6. In the natural the odds were completely against David and that is exactly how the Lord loves to operate. Remember, I said David was equipped with a slingshot, a stone, a shepherd’s staff, AND the grace of God. The grace of God makes all the difference. David was being led of God, therefore God’s grace was on him for the victory. David had already seen, by faith, what was going to happen. Our present is heaven’s past and heaven gave David a glimpse of his future. David saw himself killing Goliath, by God’s grace, and then cutting Goliath’s head off with his own sword; and he had the audacity to say it before he did it. David received an image of the victory and he had the faith to take God public. Anyone can say what they saw (by faith, in prayer) after the fact, but it takes faith to say what you believe the Lord wants to do through your life, before you do it, so that God gets even more glory out of the situation.
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David, unafraid, quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag, David took out a stone and hurled it from his sling. The stone hit the giant in the forehead and it sank in. Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. Just like that, the man who had been menacing king Saul and his entire army for over a month was killed within a few seconds by a teenager, with the grace of God on his life. The Bible says, “So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.” But wait, what David saw and what he said had not come to pass yet. So David then ran over to Goliath, pulled the giant’s sword from its sheath, and used it to kill him and cut off his head.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Our present is heaven’s past. God can show you your future, because from heaven’s perspective, it’s already done. When you are able to see it, believe it, declare it, and step out into it, it’s called faith.
2. Don’t be afraid to take God public. When the Lord shows you your future, don’t be afraid to tell others about it. This let’s the Lord, and everyone else, know that you are confident that what God said shall come to pass.
3. The bigger the challenge, the greater the glory. There is nothing too hard for God and there are many things too hard for us. God likes to perform things in, with, and through us that are clearly too big for us, so that He can get the glory. So when you are faced with something that is too big for you, instead of getting intimidated, get excited about God and what He can do through your life.
4. The enemy’s bark is bigger than his bite. Goliath talked trash for 40 days and his words struck fear in the hearts of Saul and all his men. But at the end of the day, Goliath was killed by a teenage shepherd boy. That’s how satan is. He talks a big game, but he knows he can’t beat you when God’s grace is on your life. So don’t be afraid. Walk in faith (confidence in God) and not fear (confidence in satan).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. What is future to me is past to You. You can reveal to me what is going to happen, before it happens, and when You do, I shall have the faith to receive it, believe it, declare it (taking You public) and walk out in it. I am not afraid of the enemy, because I know his bark is bigger than his bite and I also know that You want to get glory from my life. When I am faced with something that is clearly too big for me, and I know You are leading me to face it anyway, then I know You are going to get the glory from it. So I walk out into it by faith, not with confidence in my ability, but with confidence in Your ability and Your grace. As I do, and as You give me the victory against clearly insurmountable challenges, then You get the glory from my life and living. Father, You are awesome and I enter this day fully relying on Your grace to flow through me, so You can be glorified, Your name magnified, and the devil horrified! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
