David And Goliath Series

So David began to inquire. I’m sure he wanted to know the plan. What were Saul and the Israelites going to do about this treachery? And I’m sure he was utterly disgusted when he learned no one was going to lift a finger – and yet he was in no way dissuaded. He knew something has to be done.

If you’re like me, you’ve wondered why Saul allowed a boy to go into battle against a battle-hardened giant w/ all of Israel at stake. The answer is simple. He was so terrified and discouraged after 6 weeks of being belittled by Goliath that he didn’t know what else to do. He offered to the man who fought Goliath a tax free life, but they all knew dead men don’t pay taxes. He offered his daughter’s hand in marriage; but she just wasn’t to die for! So Saul was out of options and David was the only one volunteering! I’m sure he thought they’d already lost; so what did he have to lose?

So David is released to fight Goliath. Saul tries to dress him in his armor, but David was too experienced and wise to know that he had to fight Goliath in the same manner he had fought lion/bears in the past. He had to trust in the Lord and be who God made him to be. Read – 1 Samuel 17:40-55

To fully appreciate the battle, David was wearing no armor while Goliath was covered from head to toe. In fact, about the only spot of Goliath body not covered in armor and impervious to a rock was about a 3” spot b/w his eyes.

The truth is we’ll all experience moments in life where our faith and trust in God will be tested. We’ll face obstacles that’ll threaten to wreck our dependence on God and our belief in who God has called us to be.

Yesterday I celebrated the day I was ordained 27 yrs ago. I remember it well. I remember how honored I felt and how energized I was to be set apart for ministry. I remember the grandiose ideas of what the ministry was going to be like and I was certain God was going to bless my efforts. Little did I know how challenging it’d be to follow the Lord? Little did I know how painful it’d be to care more about people than they’d care for themselves?

I’ve made it no secret that the church I served in prior to coming here was quite challenging. As I prepared this message, I realized it was a Goliath that every day walked up to my life and cast hurts/insults to spit on my faith in God and in my calling. And it almost got me. This Goliath had me in its grips to the point that I was ready to throw in the ministry towel. In some ways I’m ashamed that I found myself on the run cowering from this reproach. I was so close to becoming a statistic. But then God showed up!

I want to share w/ you what I’ve learned from David and from my own journey against the giants.

I True Faith Begins w/ BELIEF

Your faith journey begins w/ who you know and understand God to be. If you have a small view of God then you’ll have a small trust in Him. If you have small view of God’s will, then you’ll have a small concern for experiencing His will.

True BELIEF is faith in action. It is where you practice what you preach. It is where you live what you believe. And a genuine belief in God will always lead to a healthy pursuit of His will – even when it doesn’t make sense to others.