Encounters, Defecting Your Giants / I Samuel 17:31-40
Even though you are born-again, most must still battle giants throughout their lives. There are several lessons that can be applied from this Biblical story found in I Samuel chapter 17.
31.Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. 32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” 34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” 38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
Just like David selected 5 smooth stones from the brook, here’s 5 stones you can use to defeat the enemy in your life: 1. The stone of past successes. 2. The stone of prayer. 3. The stone of priority.(importance) 4. The stone of passion. (The battle is the Lord’s) 5. The stone of perseverance. (It ain’t over till it’s over)
Back to our text, David came on the scene, because he was totally submitted to his father’s request, “Go take food and supplies to your brothers.”
What no one knew, behind the scenes, David had become a mighty warrior over some gentle sheep. (David had become a true shepherd) While among his sheep he had plenty of time to flow in the wonder of God and be in awe. David’s confidence flew off the charts as he stayed in God’s presence.
There’s several lessons learned for us through David’s faith and passion.
*First, We should be prepared to face the unexpected.
Go back farther than the text, and in I Samuel 17:22-23NLT David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.
Face the unexpected:This wasn’t the usual shout, this was the taunts of a demon possessed man. He was a God hater.
*Secondly, to win the battle there must be a willingness to enter it.
I Samuel 17:32NLT “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
Before you can win a race, you must enter. (No excuses)
How do we enter? Faith.
*Thirdly, Few battles are won without proper preparation.
I Samuel 17:34-35NLT But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.
The preparation you are willing to make today, will propel you into the future.
*Fourthly, Battles are often fought with doubters and detractors hanging all over you.
Go back to I Samuel 17:28NLT But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”
Before any real battle, or victory- usually there will be some low-blows.
*Fifthly, You can’t fight to win in the armor of another. (Or fight the battle of another.)
I Samuel 17:38-39NLT Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.
Remember, be who God calls you to be!
*Finally, having God by your side is the key to victory.
I Samuel 17:42, 45-47NLT Sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “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. 46 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! 47 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!”
As encounters come, who’s hooked up with you; what’s your cause in this brief vapor called life?
Prayer.
