*** NOTE: I made it back from the Dominican Republic last night. I believe we found the land God wants us to have. We are in the process of getting the title for the land cleared up so we can purchase it. Let’s keep that in prayer. Now let’s get into the Word.
(1 Samuel 17:41-47)
This morning I continue our series entitled, “Standing on a Word from God.” This is Part 43 of the series and Part 15 of the life of David.
When last we left off the story David was walking into the valley to face Goliath. Picture the scene upon the canvas of your mind. Two armies face each other from adjacent mountain tops. Only one representative from each army enters the valley that separates them. From the Philistine side a giant proceeds, clothed with armor head-to-toe. Trailing the giant is his armor-bearer. The armor-bearer is carrying a shield so big that it requires a second man to tote it around. With the giant in place, someone proceeds from the Israelite side. It is clear that he is no giant and he is wearing no armor. He is more dressed like he is ready for chores than for battle. He does not have a sword and he has never trained with one. All he has is his shepherd’s staff, a slingshot, and five smooth stones. But wait, I forgot, this little boy does have something else… he has the grace of God. A few weeks earlier he was a nobody from nowhere. This say he is a young man who is representing his entire nation in battle. The weight of the nation is in his hands and his hands are in God’s hands. That’s the scene, so now let’s pick up the story.
Goliath walked out toward David and sneered in contempt as he looked at his opponent. Goliath asked, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with a stick?” Goliath went on to curse David by the names of his gods. However, Goliath had no idea that he could not curse what the only true God had already blessed. Goliath went on to yell, “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” David was unphased. Unlike Saul and his men, David did not allow Goliath’s threats to strike fear in his heart. David replied, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” For David this more than just a one-on-one hand-to-hand combat showdown. This was about God and how He had been disrespected by Goliath. David was God’s emissary and he was going to let everyone present that day know what happens when you defy the God of Israel. So with his faith firmly rooted in God David said, “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. You have nothing to fear.
a) Fear is not the will of God. The statement “Fear not” appears in the Bible, in some form, over 300 times. Fear is never the will of God. If you are afraid, you are not in-faith.
b) A king and an entire army were afraid of a man (Goliath). But a shepherd boy (David), anointed by God, looked at the giant through the lens of faith and he knew he had nothing to fear.
c) When you look at any situation from God’s perspective, you will quickly realize that you have no reason to fear. There is nothing God can’t do and He is the one who lives IN you! What is possible for Him (all things) is possible for you!
2. You are called to a life of faith.
a) David’s confidence was not in his power, ability or strength. David’s confidence was in God. He said to Goliath, “Today the Lord will conquer you… This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
b) When you live by faith you launch out to attempt the seemingly impossible, knowing that God is the one who will work through you. David said, “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head!” Did you catch that? David said “the Lord will conquer you.” But that does not mean that we are supposed to sit around and wait for the Lord to do it FOR us. NO! Faith means He does it THROUGH us! David went on to say, “and I will kill you and cut off your head!” When you live by faith YOU ARE THE ONE who has to go and do what the Lord is leading you to go and do, fully expecting that HE WILL DO IT THROUGH YOU as you go!
c) If God leads you to do something that is clearly beyond your natural ability, it is because He wants to flex His muscles through you so He can get the glory. Let Him! Have faith in His ability. You submit and He will conquer!
We will discuss this further tomorrow.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I expect You to do ALL You planned to do in my life before I was born. I cooperate with You and Your plans so You are free to operate through me. I enter this day ready to slay any giant that is foolish enough to stand before me. By Your Spirit I am able to see the invisible and perform the impossible. Because it is You Father, who lives in me. You give me the words and You perform the work through me this day, for all the world to see. This is why I am quick to give You the glory for my life and living. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
