(1 Samuel 17:32-37)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 41 of the series and Part 13 of the life of David.
Once again, both armies (Israel and Philistine) were mustered on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah. Goliath came out to taunt Israel twice a day for 40 days. But then David showed up. David heard with a different set of ears. David looked at the giant through a different set of eyes. So he went up to the king and said, “Master, don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.” Saul replied, “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.” To which David responded, “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.” This was enough to convince the king. Saul said, “Go. And the Lord be with you!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. You have to believe in yourself, even when others don’t.
a) Saul straight-up told David that he could not fight Goliath and win. Saul thought David was too young, too inexperienced, and not nearly capable of the fight. Thankfully, David did not base his opinion of himself on Saul’s assessment of his abilities. David had been through too much with God to second-guess himself.
b) When you know who you are you don’t allow others to convince you otherwise.
c) You must know God through experiences. If you only know God through a book, then your confidence is going to be low. You must know God in real life. David’s experiences with God helped him to look a king in the face and convince him to get the chance to represent his entire nation in the Valley of Elah. It is your experiences with God that help you believe in yourself, even when no one else does.
2. Problems you are called to fix will bother you in ways they do not bother others.
a) Goliath taunted Saul and the entire Israeli army twice a day for 40 days. They did NOTHING about it. David only heard the taunt ONCE and he was ready to do something about it. David heard through a different set of ears. David looked at the giants through a different set of eyes. When you hear and see things from God’s perspective, He will highlight to you the problems you are anointed to fix.
b) When you are anointed to address a problem, the problem irritates you in ways that it does not irritate others. You will see the problem and be so bothered about it, that you wonder why it does not bother others the same way. The reason why it does not bother then the same way is because they are not anointed to address it the way you are.
c) There are some problems in this world that you were born to address. You are actually predisposed to these problems in ways that others are not. So when you come across them, like David came across Goliath, something will RISE UP in you and you will not be satisfied until you address it.
3. Having altars of remembrance of the past will help empower you for the present.
a) In Biblical times an altar was a place of worship and sacrifice. It was also a physical place of remembrance. Followers of God established altars to remind themselves, and future generations, of what God had done.
b) If you read the Old Testament you will see the many times the Israelites established altars to serve as memorials of God’s goodness, both for them and for the generations that followed. We all face challenging times. When difficulties come, it is good to be able to go back to a point in our lives where God manifested His goodness. The reminder of what God did in the past helps us muster up the faith for the present.
c) David was fearless when it came to the giant, because he could remember what God did for him with a lion and a bear. The same God who delivered him from the mouth of the lion, the same God who delivered him from the claws of the bear, is the God was going to deliver him from the giant. David had confidence in the present because he reminded himself of the past. As believers, we are going to have to do the same from time to time. That’s why it is important to establish some altars of remembrance. Never forget what God did for you. You never know when a simple memory of the past will embolden you for the present!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. You have called me for such a time as this! This is my season. This is my time. This is my turn. You have anointed me to address certain things in things in this world, and address them I MUST! Things bother me that do not bother others, because they are not called to do what I am called to do. I embrace Your grace Father to walk in my calling! I will not allow fear to get ahold of my heart. I remember what You did in the past and it emboldens me in the present. I launch out into this day ready slay every giant that stands before me. I’ve got this! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
