Introduction
Today we continue in our study entitled, The Construction of a Kingdom. Thus far we have learned from the failures of King Saul and God's election of the David, a young shepherd boy, and gained valuable insights as to the conditions necessary for God to construct His kingdom in our lives.
Now what do I mean when I say that God wants to construct a kingdom in our lives? Romans 14:17 - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God wants to fashion His rule in each of our lives, which provides His peace, His purpose, and His power for living.
The last time we looked into the life of David, we found a faithful shepherd boy, whom God had anointed to be king. 1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. David became God's choice for the kingdom because he possessed the kind of character - spirituality, integrity, humility, personal security, and an understanding of authority - that God was looking for. God saw David's heart and said, That's what I'm looking for. That's somebody I can use. What does God see in your life? What does He see in me?
A bar of raw steel is worth roughly $5. If the steel is heated and hammered on the anvil by a blacksmith and made into horseshoes it will be worth $10 at the sporting goods department of Wal Mart. A lengthier process of cutting, refining, and molding that bar of steel can manufacture sewing needles and the value becomes $350. Use the most detailed process of refining, paring, shaving, heating, and microscopic manipulation on that bar of steel and a master watchmaker can fashion the delicate main springs for Rolex watches and it will yield $250,000.
In the creative hands of God, we're like that $5 bar of steel. He wants to construct His glorious kingdom in us, but be assured that the most tedious process of refining and life manipulation must take place. Personal battles and difficult circumstances become crucibles where God turns up the heat to refine us for His purpose.
The next two messages in this series will deal with the pressures, strains, and ordeals which David, the shepherd boy had to endure on his way to becoming a king. What we'll find is the overcoming faith of a man after God's heart, unbowed to the threats of circumstances and challenges to God's glorious purposes in his life.
Theme: In order to institute His kingdom in our lives, God will allow us to encounter personal battles. He will lead us to face Goliath.
1 Facing giants can be an intimidating experience. (I Samuel 17:1-19)
Our text takes us to the crux of an impending conflict between the Philistines and the army of Israel, located in the Valley of Elah, a vast canyon nearly one mile wide. On opposite sides of the valley was sloped terrain and situated on the facing slopes were the armies of Israel and the Philistines.
The imposing Goliath appears in verse 4, announced as the champion of the Philistines. This military champion steps out ready for battle. He stands well over 9 feet tall and he wields the fiercest of weaponry; a bronze javelin with a spear head weighing almost 25 lbs. He makes Shaquille O'Neal look like he belongs in munchkin land. He donned a bronze helmet and a heavy coat of mail with bronze leggings. Beyond that, his shield carrier went out before him into battle, for added protection.
Goliath offers a challenge to the Israeli soldiers in verses 8. Standing down in the valley, he demands for someone to face him in battle. In fact, verse 16 informs us that this continued on for 40 days. Day after day, Goliath breathed his threats and challenges, while flaunting his size and impervious strength.
By the very sight of Goliath, the armies of Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid. The Hebrew wording reveals that the spirit of the mighty Israeli army was beaten down to defeat. They were paralyzed with fear.
Personal valleys become the sites of personal conflicts. They are the giants of the soul. Goliath comes in many forms and shapes, albeit all very large. Your giant may be an overwhelming set of circumstances; a terminal medical condition, a personality in the workplace, or a situation with your employment. For some it is the goliath of habitual sin that meets you in the valley of weakness to continually intimidate you and rob you of personal joy, hope, and freedom.
Whether we struggle silently or have allowed others to become faithful prayer partners with us, the battle is real and constant. The New Testament speaks of a spiritual enemy, although very real in his constant badgering. His name is Satan.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
Revelation 12:10 …the accuser of our brethren
Please note verse 23. Goliath has now crossed the ravine at the base of the valley. If you tolerate a giant long enough, he'll take over your territory and move right into your camp. While they boast of their strengths and intimidate you, they move in closer. They'll dominate your thoughts. They'll steal your joy. They'll take your peace. You can't afford to tolerate giants. You kill them.
It is in the middle of these events that David, the faithful shepherd boy (no older than 17), is sent by his father to carry food to soldiers on the front line. God has already anointed David to be king and, I believe, it's no accident that David was thrust into meeting Goliath.
2 A battle with a giant can be a lonely experience. (I Samuel 17:20-39)
In the ancient eastern cultures, a common tactical strategy of war was employed involving a one on one fight. Two soldiers would face off as representatives from their opposing brigades. Whoever won the struggle achieved victory for the whole army. Goliath's challenge was just such a strategy.
For 40 days, Goliath had issued his provocation, only to be met with the whimpers of Israel. On the 41st day, someone decided to answer. For 40 days, King Saul and his army stood paralyzed with fear and defeated in spirit, but on the 1st day that David hears the boastful threats, he can't keep silent. Some interesting things should be noted here.
First, giants often show up on the way to God's purposes being realized in our lives. In verse 26, David inquired about a reward given to the one who would face Goliath. Look at the prize; great riches, a royal bride, exemption from paying taxes. It was a kingly reward! David stands one giant battle away from getting his foot into the kingdom! You ask, What's the point? Simply, in the steps that lead to God instituting we have to face giants. There are battles to be fought. It may be the conquering of habitual sin or condemnation of the past. It may be overcoming the giant fear that inflicts with one with a lack of confidence. On the way to God's kingdom being inaugurated in our lives, God shows us the giants along the way.
Secondly, don't get distracted by the criticism of others when you face a personal battle. Verse 28 reveals the attitude of Eliab, David's oldest brother. He had been passed over for the kingly throne. His response to David is an outright question of character and an attempt to humiliate him. The average person my have taken issue with Eliab's words, but David's was focused on the real conflict. Is there not a cause? Are you taken up with why I'm here and not concerned that this Philistine stands before the army of Israel mocking our God! Be careful to avoid wasting precious energy fighting the wrong enemy. We may have difficult people in our families, but don't treat them like the enemy. The real enemy is out to divide your family and break up your home. We don't have enemies here among the body CLC. The real enemy is the one who wants to keep us powerless from touching this community and pushing back his strongholds.
Thirdly, don't replace personal experiences with God. In verse 32, David answers the challenge by citing experiences with God against a lion and a bear. Verse 36 sums it up as far as David is concerned. I've seen the faithfulness of God. The same God who delivered me then is upon me to deliver me now. Too often we remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. There are testimonies of God's work in our lives that placed on the shelf of forgetfulness. Even Saul's armor couldn't replace David's trust in God.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...
No earthly companion can fight Goliath for you. You may find the comfort of a companion or a friend, but only you can face Goliath. It is on the lonely battlefield that we learn to trust God. Although David would enter the battle without the aid of Israel's finest soldiers or weaponry, he would enter the fray with faith and the Spirit of the Lord upon Him.
3 Trusting God can be a stabilizing experience. (I Samuel 17:40-47)
David approached the chosen battleground having armed himself with five smooth stones and a sling. David drew near Goliath, having answered the challenge. He didn't come in fear, but in faith and ready to fight.
Psalms 20:6-7 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Goliath didn't know David. He saw some little "wanna be" running to meet him. What a joke it must have been? Am I some dog? Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!
David had an answer for Goliath. You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
David knew he represented God on that battlefield. He was there on Divine order. I come to you in the name of the Lord. He knew he wasn't alone. David knew God. David's eyes weren't on the giant. They were fixed on God. Intimidation is a non-factor when we possess an invincible confidence in a delivering God. The secret is found in verse 47, the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's,
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.
David knew God. That poses the only question that matters today. Do you know Him? Not do you know of Him, but are you personally acquainted with the Lord today as David before Goliath. Are you fighting a battle on your terms? In your strength? Your way?
There's a principle we must abide by to face our giants. We must face them in God's strength, which is found on our knees. Time with God in prayer and in His Word is the primary way we get to know Him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
4 Victory can be a memorable experience. (I Samuel 17:48-54)
In the final analysis, it only took one stone from David's sling to find the mark and fell Goliath. The stone landed the only place it could to drop Goliath and remove David's first obstacle to the kingdom.
The late Jim Croce wrote a song in the mid 70's that went like this… You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with Jim. But one day, Jim tried to slight another man by the name of Slim while rolling dice one day and Jim found out that you don't mess around with Slim.
That day, the Philistines found out that you don't mess with someone with the Spirit of God on their life. I love verse 50. David didn't have a sword in his hand, but God had a man after His own heart in His hand and He took out an enemy of the kingdom.
A personal victory for David had far reaching results for the rest of the kingdom. The army of Israel having witnessed the incredible event in the valley is rejuvenated in spirit. The victory of David was a victory for the kingdom. Why did he take Goliath
