Stonewall Jackson was a famous Confederate general. Now, his mother didn't name him Stonewall. His name was actually Thomas Jackson. He earned the name we know him by in the first major land battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run. The Confederate forces were overwhelmed. They were retreating that day - except for a group of Virginia soldiers commanded by General Jackson. They refused to give ground, with their general, mounted on his horse in the thick of the battle, inspiring them to take a stand. Well, another Confederate officer yelled, "Look! There's Jackson standing like a stone wall!" The Confederate forces rallied behind Jackson and his Virginians, and they ended up routing the Union forces. And from that day on, Tom Jackson was known as Stonewall Jackson.
One person, standing firm when the battle is intense, can clearly turn the tide. On the battlefield where God has assigned you, He's counting on you to be that person. And today He's giving you a great picture of how you can be a winner in a land of giants – a person through whom God can win some great victories. Some of you may be facing a giant or situation right now where your only hope is – the Lord will provide. Maybe it’s a terminal illness, a bully, serious financial, family, or personal problems, peer pressure, a bad habit that could kill you, low self-esteem, something from your past that you can’t quite get over, or some other breakthrough that you don’t know how you’re going to receive.
Today we will discuss the faith of a shepherd boy who didn’t give up and hung on to his faith especially when things seemed stacked up against him. A close look at David today, illustrates his secret and shows us how we too can win in a land of giants.
A. YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT A WINNER MUST BE BATTLE TESTED
1. David had to remind himself to stay focused on the task that his father gave him
2. David had to remind his brother that he would not be discouraged by his jealousy
3. David had to remind Saul that although his experience was different than that of others, it still counts as experience
TRANS: YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR BAG THAT’S WORTH USING
B. YOU HAVE TO GO INTO BATTLE WITH THE TALENT/ABILITY THAT GOD GAVE YOU
1. David couldn’t use Saul’s armor because Saul could have claimed some of the victory
2. David couldn’t use Saul’s armor because it didn’t fit, he had to use what he was comfortable with
3. David couldn’t use Saul’s armor because that’s not what God told him to use
TRANS: YOU MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE TO RUN TO THE CHALLENGE
C. YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, IT’S THE LORD’S
1. You must use what you have for the people of God
2. You must have confidence in God’s ability
3. You must give God praise, for the victory that is already yours
Mighty warriors emerge at times when everyone's tired and suffering from combat fatigue - times when most people would feel like quitting. They emerge at times when the odds are overwhelming and at times when most are retreating from the battle. For you, the battle may be for your family, for doing the right thing, for your very soul, for a stand that God has ordered you to take. So what is it that makes you one of God's mighty warriors and a soldier God can count on? Someone who can win in a land of giants?
It’s simple, remember that a winner is battle tested. Second, go into battle with the ability that God gave you. Finally, realize that the battle is not yours, it’s the Lords. Never forget that it is God who determines the outcome of the battle. So no matter how intense the battle, no matter how weary the warrior, no matter how overwhelming the odds – you can win in a land of giants!
