He called the number and the man told him that he had to see the dog in action before he would pay that much. The next morning they met and went hunting. The dog flushed two birds from a clump of bushes, and when they fell into the water, the dog walked on top of the water, grabbed the birds, and walked back on top of the water and brought the two birds to the hunters. The man was amazed, and bought the dog on the spot.
The next day he persuaded his brother to go hunting with him. They flushed a couple of birds out of the bushes and the dog again walked on top of the water, retrieved the birds, and walked back to their boat on top of the water.
He asked his brother what he thought of the dog and the brother replied, "You paid $2500.00 for a dog that can not swim!"
In life we see things from different perspectives.
Illus: A certain king had two sons.
• To the first he said, "I want you to travel for six months through my kingdom and bring back a sample of every weed you can find." He left to carry out this command.
• To the second son the king said, "I want you to travel through my kingdom for six months and bring back a sample of every flower you can find." He left to carry out this command.
Six months later, both sons returned and stood before the king.
• To the first son, the king asked, "Have you carried out my command?" The first son answered, “I have, and I was amazed to find there were so many weeds in the kingdom. In fact, there is nothing but weeds in this kingdom!"
• To the king's second son, he said, “Have you carried out my command?” And the second son said, "Yes, I have, and I am amazed how many beautiful flowers there are in the kingdom. In fact, there is nothing but beautiful flowers in this kingdom!"
These two sons lived in the same kingdom but each found what they were looking for.
People truly see things from different perspectives. It is simply amazing that folks can attend the same church, and:
• Some think of their church as the greatest church on the face of the earth, and they prayerfully support It in every way they know how.
• Some are always complaining about certain things in the church almost on a daily basis.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? The difference is that people see everything from their own perspective. For example:
• Some folks are always looking for the best
• Some folks are always looking for the worst
The difference in people can be seen in their perspective.
Our perspective, or how we look at things, is generally the deciding factor in whether we achieve success or not.
For example, there is a man in the Bible whose name was David, the son of Jesse, and he had the right perspective.
1 Samuel 17 tells the true story of David and Goliath. We see that it was because:
• David had the RIGHT PERSPECTIVE that he beat this giant in his life
• The Israeli army had the WRONG PERSPECTIVE that they could not defeat this giant in their life
Let’s look at what made the difference in their perspectives. We have to consider -
I. THE FEAR FACTOR
Vs. 11, “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were DISMAYED, AND GREATLY AFRAID.”
Why is it that when we face the giants in our life, the first thing we want to do is run from these giants? Look at verse 24. We read, “And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man,(Goliath) fled from him, and were sore afraid.”
Saul and the rest of Israels army were terrified.
DID YOU KNOW THAT FEAR CAN RENDER US HELPLESS?
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger was in Hendersonville, North Carolina, with a youth group from his church. The youth were at the Pisgah National Park. They were at that particular place in the park known as “Sliding Rock”. The rock is about 70 to 80 feet long with cold water sliding over the rock that makes it possible for the teenagers to slide down the rock into a pool at the bottom. But this particular day the water was a cold, 45 degrees. Dr. Belger was at the bottom watching the young people slide, when a middle age woman decided she would slide down. She was large in size, and when she came down she came down fast, and when she hit that pool at the bottom she made a big splash. But when she came up, the life guard almost had to jump in and help her because fear was all over her face, and she looked like she was about to have a heart attack. She was so fearful, she was totally confused as to which way to swim to get out.
Fear is one of the most paralyzing forces known to man. People are often gripped with fear that renders them totally helpless. Some folks make some terrible decisions because they are living in fear.
The Bible has many verses that teach us not to live a life of fear.
• Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
• Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
• Isa. 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
• Pet. 3:13 14, “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”
When we approach our problems from a PERSPECTIVE OF FEAR, we are at a distinct disadvantage!
• We can not think clearly
• We are giving our enemies an advantage
• We will lose sleep
• We are disobeying God
Fear of MAN or CIRCUMSTANCES is not God's will for your life.
When Goliath came on the scene and challenged the Israeli army, make no mistake about it, THE FEAR FACTOR was at work among these men.
We’ve seen the perspective of THE FEAR FACTOR, now look at ...
II. THE FOCUS FACTOR
In verses 12-22 we want to focus in on several things, such as the fact that young David becomes the focus of attention.
David witnessed the focus of King Saul. WHAT WAS HIS FOCUS?
His focus was not to defeat the enemy but to survive the enemy. King Saul and all the Israeli army were focusing in on self-preservation, this is why they would not attack Goliath.
One of the greatest hindrances to being a good disciple of Jesus Christ is to focus on self preservation.
Matthew 6:33 makes it clear, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The Bible teaches we are to live for the “Kingdom of God and His righteouness”, and God will make sure the rest is taken care of.
Now that is contrary to everything we have been taught by man. That is, we have been taught that you take care of number one. But the Bible teaches just the opposite.
• In Luke 9:24, we read, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
• In John 12:25, we read, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
David’s focus was on God. Look at verse 26, we read, “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David focused on the glory of God. David was asking:
• "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
• Who does he think he is?
God's glory suffers when unsaved people are allowed to have the upper hand.
Illus: In June of 2002, because of one atheistic family, a liberal court in California declared it unconstitutional for “God” to be in the pledge of allegiance.
This caused an uproar across this land, and it should! Anyone that has read the federalist papers knows that this country was founded by godly men and women, and now a bunch of liberal atheists are trying to take God off our currency, out of our schools, and out of the pledge to the American flag.
These infidels say they are tired of us ramming our religion down their throats. Listen, atheism is a religion, and godly people are tired of them ramming their religion (what they believe) down our throats. This nation was founded by men and women who believed in God and in what this Bible teaches, and if they do not like it, pack up and go to where people believe like they do.
What right does any giant have to rule over a Christian’s life?
• When you give in to the giants in your life, you are not allowing God to have the glory
• When you stand up to the giants, you give God the glory
But as you start to wage war against the devil and his crowd, do not think you can do it without opposition.
• David's brother accused him of meddling. Look at verses 28 29, we read, “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
• Saul told David that he was incapable. Look at verses 31 33, we read, “And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE? The problem is simply that Saul and the Israeli army were focused in on self-preservation, and David was focused on putting God first in his life.
• When the Israelites saw the giant, they said, “We are no match for him”, and they weren’t.
• When David saw Him, he saw that Goliath was no match for the God He served, and he wasn’t.
Sometimes in our self-preservation mode in which we live, we forget the Scriptures that teach us that greater is He that is within us than he that is within the world.
• Look at Jer. 32:17, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”
• Look at Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
• Look at Luke 18:27, “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
We have seen the perspective of the FEAR FACTOR and the FOCUS FACTOR, now let’s look at-
III. THE FAITH FACTOR
Because David focused on the issue of God's glory being at stake, he had faith that God would give him the victory.
HOW DID HE DO THIS?
A. DAVID REMEMBERED THE VICTORIES OF THE PAST
Look at verses 34 37, we read, “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
B. DAVID TRUSTED IN GOD ABOVE
Notice as David was ready to take on this nine foot giant, King Saul suggested he wear his armor. But it was too big and too bulky for David.
Look at Vs. 38 39, we read, “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.”
Sometimes people try to help in our fight with our giants, but their help relies on human wisdom and not on God.
C. DAVID USED THE TALENTS HE POSSESSED
Look at verses 40 44, we read, “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.”
He took his staff and his sling, and picked up his ammunition (5 smooth stones) out of the brook. These were the things that God had used in his life in the past, and they were the things he felt God could use in his life in the future.
D. DAVID WENT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
David confronted Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.
Look at verses 44 48, we read, “And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”
David was confident that God would give him the victory and God would get the glory.
Look at verse 46, we read, “This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
What can we learn from David's statement's?
1. When we fight a giant, do it for the glory of God. Remember, God is glorified when you get the victory over a giant.
• 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
• Col. 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
2. When we fight a giant, remember that the battle is the Lord's! God has equipped us with His armor! God is the one with the power to win.
• Zech. 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
David won the battle using what seemed to be an insufficient weapon, a slingshot.
Look at verses 48 54, we read, “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.”
David won the battle because His confidence was in the Lord!
Conclusion:
Illus: "Ships in harbor are safe," wrote John Shedd, "but that's not what ships are built for." We, too, are not built to stay in the safe harbors of life, but to take some prudent risks, have some daring, take some chances." (Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company, 1997).
What are the giants in your life? How do you see them?
• As too great to overcome
• As beatable in the strength of the Lord
Let’s get things into the proper perspective in our lives. Our perspective is important. God wants to make you into something successful. Will you let him?
Illus: There’s a story that Thomas Wheeler, CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, tells about himself.
He and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas. Wheeler got off the highway at the next exit, and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump. He asked the lone attendant to fill the tank and check the oil, then went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.
As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation.
The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant. But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, "It was great talking to you."
As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man. She readily admitted she did. They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year.
"Boy, were you lucky that I came along," bragged Wheeler. "If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer."
"My dear," replied his wife, "if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant."
Obviously the C.E.O. and his wife looked at things from two different perspectives. How are you looking at things in your life?
