Introduction: Daisy Cutters, Bunker Buster, Smart Bombs…maybe you have heard about them! These are some of the modern weapons technology that US armed forces have used in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Today’s battles are fought with a dizzying array of weaponry that was unheard of in years gone by. In fact a US fighting man out on the battlefield carries with him an arsenal of weapons and defensive gear that makes him one of the most thoroughly equipped soldiers in military history. Today US soldier are outfitted in Kevlar bulletproofing armor; he is equipped with night vision goggles; he carries with him personal fire arms, hand grenades, and a range of weapons that would make his counterparts in World War II quite jealous.
With the use of computer technology today, weapons are getting smarter and more efficient. There are robots with cameras that can be used to survey enemy territory, bombs with guidance systems, cruiser missiles that employ satellite navigation and a range of stuff that, years ago existed only in the minds of Star Trek writers. With the types of weapons available today the modern battlefield can be a fearsome place.
But that was not the case when David stood before Goliath! The two armies that faced each other were a little more than primitive fighting forces. They did have weapons but they were mainly swords, spears, javelins and the like. It would seem however, that the Philistines were better equipped than the Israelite. The book of 1 Samuel 13:19-20 gives us an indication that these barbarians were more technologically advanced than the children of Israel: "Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle…"
The account of David and Goliath puts it in perspective for us. It tells us that Goliath, this giant of a man, was wearing a coat of mail and bronze armor. He had a bronze helmet on his head and he carried a bronze javelin, a spear and a sword. He also had a shield bearer that went before him. David on the other hand, had a sling shot in one hand and a staff in the other. In his shepherd’s pouch he carried five smooth stones that he took from a brook he crossed on his way to face his opponent.
I have often asked: why did David take five stones? And I answer it, because Goliath had four brothers – which he did (1 Samuel 21). But that is not the real reason. It was simply a matter of having enough ammunition. If you are fighting with a sling or a gun for that matter, no one takes one bullet! It would be foolish to do so. So David faced Goliath a seemingly superior foe with that which he had but it was not
really the simple weapons that David used that brought Goliath down – rather it was his faith!
Faith! F-A-I-T-H...Fortitude, Agression, Initiative, Testimony and Help from Above...Five smooth stones in the hands of a young Jewisjh boy who would one day be king. But for now and in the eyes of Goliath, he was just a runt. But it was not who David was that made the difference, it was waht he was made of...
1. DAVID SHOWED FORTITUDE
“Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.”
a) David had the guts to act when know one else was willing
The Israelites were “dismayed and greatly afraid.”
“ And all the men of Israel when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.” V 24
The Israelites cowered because of the giant’s threats
Facing this type of danger takes guts and fearlessness
b) David was not afraid to take on a superior foe
The giants’ threats meant nothing to David because he knew who he was in God
People are afraid when they do not know who is on their side
c) David was unwilling to use untested weaponry
Saul wanted him to use his sword and armor
“So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them…” Verse 38-30
- Our weapons are not carnal
- “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Cor10:3-4
The weapons that we use in our fight against giants have been tested.
APPLICATION: Our faith requires that we have the fortitude to face the giants in our lives. There is no doubt that giants will come but we must be brave. We must be willing to act at a moment’s notice
ILLUSTRATION: President Bush at a ceremony at the White House on January 11th presented the Medal of Honor to Marine Cpl Jason Dunham for bravery in the Iraq war. The brave young man threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of his two companions. Now that is fortitude.
Here is New York City we read about Wesley Autrey who was standing in a subway with his two young daughters when he saw a teenager contract a seizure and fall on the tracks. Without thinking the man jumps in and tries to save the boy. When he could not bring him up he pulls the kid into the gutter and covers him with his body, thereby saving both their lives…courage…fortitude!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8
2. DAVID DISPLAYED AGGRESSION
“Aggression: any offensive action, attack or procedure.”
a) David was aggressive in defense of his cause
The Israelites were afraid to stand for what they believed in
The giant was defying their very existence as a people
The giant cursed their God
b) David stood up to the enemies’ insults
David was ready to fight for his way of life
“Let no man’s heart fail because of him, your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
c) Believers should not always be passive
The best defense is a good offense
We may have to take the fight to the enemy
The enemy is bold enough to invade your own territory
He will come into your home, against your family and everything that you hold dear.
APPLICATION: There are some who believe that Christians should be pacifists – someone who is against violence as the solution to any problem, but there are times when you are called upon to fight. However, the battle we are engaged in is spiritual rather than physical…so we fight in a different way.
Ephesians 6:12 “ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
3. DAVID TOOK INITIATIVE
“An introductory act or step; leading action; readiness and ability in initiating action: one’s personal, responsible decision”
a) The battle was at a stand-off
No one was winning
Verse 3: “ The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them”
b) David acted because he had to – he drew a line in the sand
David asked: Is there not a cause
David recognized what a defeat would do to them
The giant’s goal was to make slaves of God’s people
They had experienced slavery for hundreds of years ad they were not going back
c) The Israelites pursued the enemy after David’s victory
Some times, all it takes is one person
One person to make a stand!
APPLICATION: Initiative is usually a step of faith. It means stepping out even though the odds are against you. When one person dares to make a stand, it motivates the others to continue the assault.
4. DAVID HAD A TESTIMONY
“Evidence in support of a fact or statement of proof.”
a) David had killed a lion and a bear before (Verses 34-35)
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
b) David testified and gave the glory to God
37 Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
c) King Saul acknowledged his testimony
And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
APPLICATION: A testimony comes from living a life of faith – a life of walking with God. Anyone can develop a testimony. You may not have one now but if you trust in God today you can have one tomorrow. Giants will face you wherever you are but trusting in God will help you to overcome and you will be able to testify.
5. DAVID HAD HELP
“To give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist.
a) David recognized that he couldn’t do it alone
No one can face giants alone
Giants by nature are physically superior and it would be foolish to go against them on your own strength
b) In the garden Jesus recognized that He was facing a giant
He cried out to God for help
He called for His disciples to watch with Him
c) David faced the giant in the name of the Lord
The name of the Lord is powerful
Names denote authority.
Jesus: Whatever you ask in My name
Peter and John: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…” Acts 3:6
APPLICATION: We can be victorious if we use the name of Jesus. The Bible tells us that “at the sound of that name, every knee should bow and every tongue should confess…”
CONCLUSION: Five smooth stones – very simple weapons used by David to vanquish an opponent who was larger, better equipped and better trained than he was but David had something that made the difference on that day…David had faith. David had faith that whatever he did, his God was on his side and when the giants came, they had to fall before him.
In order to face your giants you too can use these five smooth stones: Fortitude, Aggression, Initiative, Testimony and you can’t do it without Help from above.
