(1 Samuel 17:12-32)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 38 of the series and Part 10 of the life of David.
Yesterday we left off the story with both armies mustered against each other. Nothing separated the armies but the valley of Elah. The giant, Goliath, came out every day to taunt Saul and the entire Israelite army. They did nothing, because Goliath struck fear in their hearts. Satan used the appearance of ONE MAN to paralyze and entire nation. Let’s pick up the story from there.
By now you know that Jesse had eight sons. Jesse’s three oldest boys—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—were part of Saul’s army. They were part of the paralyzed force. David, being the youngest, was back at home tending to his father’s sheep. He was called to be king. He was walking with God’s anointing on his life to do so. He had already time in the palace, playing music for the king. David had been exposed to so much in a short period of time. But when Saul wanted to deal with Philistine, David was sent back home. Guess what he was doing at home? He was back with his father’s sheep. Once again, I must drive home the point that you have to be faithful over what is IN FRONT OF YOU, BEFORE God will propel you into what He HAS FOR YOU!
Back on the military front, Goliath repeated his taunting twice a day. He strutted in front of the Israelite army and offered to fight anyone one-on-one. He did this every morning and every evening for 40 days. And for 40 days not one Israeli Soldier stepped forth.
During this time Jesse asked David to take a basket of roasted grain and bread to his brothers on the frontline. Jesse also sent cheese for the boys’ captain. David was called, he was anointed, and he had already spent time in the palace, but he was humble enough to do what his father asked of him. He humbled himself to serve as an “Uber Eats” delivery man for his brothers.
David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the food. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield. David followed the army as they assembled on their side of the valley. He left the food the Supply Sergeant as he looked for his brothers. As soon as David found his brothers, Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out from the enemy’s ranks to perform his daily taunt. To David’s surprise, many Israeli Soldiers ran at the sight of Goliath. David asked a few Soldiers why they were running and they replied, “Have you seen the giant? He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!” David asked for clarification on the reward, and his oldest brother, Eliab, heard David and got angry, saying, “What are you doing around here anyway? What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” David replied, “What have I done now? I was only asking a question!” Ignoring his brother, David went to king Saul and said, “Don’t worry about this uncircumcised Philistine, I’ll go fight him!” We’ll stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? There is a great deal here. I will give you just a few things.
- The power of death and life is in the tongue (Prov 18:21). The old adage, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” may have worked on the playground. But in real life, words can hurt. Words unleash power. Satan used Goliath to speak words that incapacitated and entire army. Understanding this, be careful how you use words. Use your tongue to bless and not curse. David’s son would go on to say, “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim” (Prov 15:4).
- Listen to every situation through the filter of faith. David did not hear what the others heard. David had recently been anointed and he heard the voice behind the voice. Goliath was speaking, but David heard the enemy of God behind Goliath. This arose a righteous indignation in David. This gave him the courage to want to fight Goliath! When you hear things through the filter of faith, it will wake up the GIANT IN YOU!
- Look at every situation through the lens of faith. David did not see what the others saw. They were looking through natural eyes and he saw Goliath through spiritual eyes. Which is why he was not afraid. You may be up against a major challenge. But when you look at that challenge from God’s perspective, you see it completely different. There is NOTHING you cannot do WITH God!
- Ask God to help you develop spiritual discernment. As you learn to hear from God clearly, you will know what to RESIST and what to RECEIVE.
- You have the grace to do whatever the Lord leads you to do. David was led to fight Goliath and since the Lord led him to do it, then He would bless David through it. The Lord is obligated to bless you when you are doing what He told you to do. Where He leads, He feeds. Where He guides, He provides! If it is the Lord’s will, then it is also the Lord’s bill!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I know I have a real enemy, who will come against me in real ways, but I also know I have a real God who has graced me to resist his threats by faith. I have the grace to fight and WIN! I have spiritual discernment to hear with spiritual ears and to see through spiritual eyes. I am able to discern what I should resist and what I should receive. On those occasions that I am led to resist the enemy, I take my stand in faith, not wavering, without a doubt, fearing nothing! Having done all, I will stand. If I get to the point where I am tired of standing, I will receive the grace to continue to stand, supernaturally, until my breakthrough comes. I am not a coward and fear has no power over me. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
