(1 Samuel 17:32-37)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 39 of the series and Part 11 of the life of David.
Friday we learned that after 40 days of taunting not one of Saul’s Soldiers had the courage to face Goliath. David, however, who was a sheep-watching harp-playing teenager, said to the king, “Master, don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.”
We know that Saul loved having David around. We know he was a faithful shepherd of his father’s sheep. We know he was a skillful harp player who also happened to be the only person who could bring Saul comfort when he was being tormented by the evil spirit. But we did not know that David was a warrior. We did not know that David had exceptional courage. Saul did not know either. Saul did not see David as a Soldier. Saul said to David, “You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced—and he’s been at this fighting business since before you were born.”
Remember, this was the king speaking. The king of Israel was saying, “Goliath is too big and you are too small. Goliath has the experience and you do not. Beyond all of that, Goalith is a grown man and you are just a boy. YOU CAN’T DO IT!” You must be undeterred by what people tell you YOU CAN’T DO! David was unphased. He replied, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine.” Wow. David had unwavering confidence in God and that confidence helped him persuade Saul. The king said, “Go. And the Lord be with you!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- When you walk with God you will be underestimated because God routinely calls you to do things you cannot do on your own. People will underestimate you because they are calculating their estimations on their assessment of your abilities. But God factored OUT your weaknesses when He factored IN His strengths. Therefore, God calls you to do things that only HE CAN DO! To properly estimate what you can do, people have to calculate their estimations based on God’s abilities, not your own. When they factor IN God, then there is NOTHING you cannot do!
- When you launch out in faith to do what you are clearly incapable of doing without God’s supernatural grace, you will be misunderstood and underestimated. Don’t get upset about it. The underestimation is warranted. Without God you cannot. But with God you CAN DO ALL THINGS (Phil 4:13). Just tell the people underestimating you that you agree with them. In your own strength, what they are saying is true. But because God is ON you, you CAN do what you could NEVER do without Him.
- Many things are impossible with man. All things are possible with God (Mat 19:26).
- When you operate in the grace of God you will routinely do things that are beyond the realm of what is expected of you. You will operate beyond your expected performance, because God is the one flowing through you. You will have wisdom that exceeds your education, because God is giving you divine revelation. You will have insight that exceeds your experience, because God is leading you from within, telling you what to do and how to do it. You will have courage that exceeds your physical ability, because your confidence will be rooted and grounded in love, and there is NO FEAR in love. You will have all of this by God’s amazing power. So don’t be surprised when people are surprised by what you do. Remember, you are NOT the one doing it. It is the Father, living in you. He is giving you the words and He is performing the work.
- People will be quick to tell you what you can’t do, because they don’t know what you have already been through. Saul told David that he could not fight Goliath, because he did not know what David had already fought and killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands. People see you today and they see your glory, but they don’t know your story. They will underestimate you, because they don’t know all the processing you have had to endure to get to where you are. You’ve been through too much, seen God do too much, and have far too many testimonies to turn back now. So when you launch out in faith, with the confidence of knowing ALL you have been through, people will tell you that you are crazy, or that you shouldn’t believe God on that level. But that’s only because they have not experienced God the way you have. When you look back over your life, and you think about ALL the situations God has brought you through, you know that He did not bring you this far to fail now. What is in front of you pales in comparison to the one WHO IS IN YOU. So regardless of what anyone believes you can or can’t do, you know you can do all things through Christ and you PRESS FORWARD!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is based on Your love and commitment towards me. You lead me to do things I could NEVER do on my own. You lead me into the invisible to perform the impossible. Without You I cannot. But with You I can do all things! Nothing is impossible for You. Therefore, nothing is impossible for me. When I launch out to attempt the impossible, I will be misunderstood and underestimated. This will happen because people are looking at me. But I am looking at You! You Father live in me. You give me the words today and You perform the work! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
