1 Samuel 17:1-30
1 Samuel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Facing the Giants
Facing the Giants
The narrative now switches to David. He was introduced in chapter 16, anointed by Samuel as the new King of Israel in private.
The authors wants to tell us how David, the new King (in private) will start to get involved in the national scene, as God intended it to happen.
This is David’s journey from being a shepherd boy who takes care of a few sheep to becoming the shepherd who will lead and take care of the nation Israel.
It will not be an easy journey! In fulling God’s calling for Him, David has to go through a lot of difficulties, a matter of life and death situations, betrayal, and so on…He has to literally face a GIANT!
Though we are not called to be a king or to any position of greater importance, but we can relate to David.
We have our calling. God is calling us for a greater purpose in life , more than just living and surviving - a greater purpose because it is a heavenly purpose - the proclamation of the Gospel for the glorification of God!
In the proclamation of the Gospel and the glorification of God, there will be challenges and hindrances.
You and I will gonna face GIANTS - giant oppositions, giant problems, giant disappointments, giant failures, giant debt, giant obstacles, giant health concerns…and in facing this giants you will feel small and lowly.
But take heart Christians, we have an infinitely greater God who will protect, defend, and sustain us!
3 Lessons to take heart in FACING THE GIANTS so we can be prepared and become effective in God’s calling for us:
3 Lessons to take heart in FACING THE GIANTS so we can be prepared and become effective in God’s calling for us:
I. Expect opposition in the Christian journey
I. Expect opposition in the Christian journey
There are those who oppose God, in this narrative, the Philistines.
These oppositions are strong and intimidating, like Goliath (9 ft. 6 inches, 56 kilos scale armor, 6.7 kilos spear head)
These oppositions will make you afraid (v.11)
We have an opposition that is not of the physical world. Spiritual forces of darkness.
Ephesians 6:11–12 “11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The enemy has been opposing Jesus and the enemy will continue to oppose the spread of the Gospel.
Jesus said, John 15:18 “18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”
Expecting opposition will help us get ready and be on the alert.
1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Application:
Equip your self with the best weapon available - the armor of God!
(the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes that come from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit which is the word of God)
II. Exhibit readiness to respond in God’s calling for you.
II. Exhibit readiness to respond in God’s calling for you.
David was young and his job was simply to work on a very lowly and insignificant job - shepherding.
His brothers were soldiers - obviously greater than being a shepherd, a dream job for an Israelite, a job that gives you pride and joy.
Despite having lowly job and position, David’s heart was right with God.
David took care of the flock with diligence and care. While in the field, David would play his stringed instrument and worship God. David would hone his skill of using sling shot to defend and protect the sheep against wolves and lions.
David was always ready to serve God, it’s just a matter of timing and occasion to serve. So, when the time came, David responded.
God is already at work even before David meet Saul - 1 Samuel 16:17-18 - A referral.
His orders from his fathers - brings supplies, check up on the welfare of his brothers, bring update about the war to his father.
David obeyed and showed a willing and responsible heart (v.20 - left the flock with the keeper)
What you are doing today maybe insignificant in your eyes, but God is looking at your heart and he is after your heart.
God is molding your heart and character in every circumstance that He will allow in your life.
“Readiness to serve happens when the heart is right with God.”
“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today”
Application:
Cultivate your relationship with God by having a daily discipline of prayer, confession, meditation of His Word, and worship.
Continue honing the skills and talents that God has given you to be use for His glory.
III. Embrace the challenge that may come.
III. Embrace the challenge that may come.
David heard Goliath’s mockery and he can’t stand back.
He showed interest in fighting and defeating Goliath (not for the reward, but for God!, v.26)
He was rebuked and maligned by his older brother (v.28)
David did not listen to the wrongful accusation of his brother (God sees the heart, Eliab cannot)
David embraced the challenge. He was not supposed to fight, but he could not hold back seeing how God’s name was mocked.
David showed himself a suitable leader for Israel, in contrast to the frightened Saul and his own quarrelsome brothers.
David showed courage, a courage not found in any of Saul’s soldier, Saul included.
David was at a disadvantage in the physical department obviously, but David’s advantage was in the Spiritual department.
God is with David and David believed that God is with Him!
That small and insignificant stone, brought down the giant.
In the hands of a mighty God, a small and insignificant person becomes a powerful instrument in bringing down the spiritual forces of darkness.
What we need to persevere and embrace the challenges and difficulties that may come in our lives is to believe in the truth that God is with us and for us!
Because we have been redeemed by the perfect blood of the perfect savior Jesus Christ, who was risen from the dead, we are victorios in Christ, we are more than conquerors in Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 “20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Jesus promised Paul to embrace his calling to preach and suffer the Gospel of Christ -
Acts 18:9–11“9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
Application:
Focus on the voice of God rather than the voice of the world (enemy)
Focus on the future victory in God rather than in present troubles and difficulties.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Your greatest calling in life is glorify God in whatever job, position, or role you are in, by using the gifts and resources he has given you.
To do that you need to be expect opposition, exhibit readiness, and embrace the challenges that may come.
As you do that, Trust that our God will work out everything for the GOOD of those who love Him!
