Sermon by Rodney Brown, Revised by Mark Engler
“FACING GIANT PROBLEMS”
1 Sam. 17, Psalm 20:7-8
If you were asked to name a great battle, what would come to mind? Pearl Harbor? Gettysburg? The Alamo? Maybe what began at the World Trade Center almost a year ago?
Some battles are a bit closer to home.
· Sometimes neighbors disagree (i.e. The Hatfields & McCoys).
· Sometimes people battle not with guns or fists, but with words. (i.e. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Don’t you believe it.)
· There are also battles of ideas. If you believe in God and the Bible, you may find your beliefs under attack in the college classroom or in conversations with unbelieving friends.
But I believe some of the fiercest battles are those fought inwardly—within ones self. They are private battles with pain or physical illness, depression, financial difficulty, grief, worry, stress, frustration, loneliness, temptation, and you could go on and on. These problems can appear so huge and so overwhelming that we seem to be no match for them.
Maybe you have at some point (or are even now feeling) like the lion tamer that placed an ad in the classified section of the newspaper: “Lion tamer, wants tamer lion.”
We all face some giant problems. That’s why we need to look again at the familiar Bible story about David and Goliath. It’s one of the best-known battles ever fought—a life and death struggle between a young man and a mighty giant whose very name, “Goliath,” has become synonymous with something enormous and intimidating.
Not only is it one of the best-known stories of the Bible, but also one of the best loved as well. That’s because it’s a story of bravery and adventure, of good verses evil, of the weak overcoming the strong, and the underdog becoming victorious. We love it because it pictures a courage that is very rare, and yet one that we would all like to have. It’s especially thrilling, I think, because of the many seeming inequalities and disadvantages that had to be overcome by David.
Think with me for a moment about the disadvantages of David and the advantages of Goliath:
SIZE. In the NIV 1 Sam. 17:4 says Goliath was “over 9 feet tall.” And that’s just a conservative guestimate. For if you’ll look down at the footnote in your Bible, you’ll see that the Hebrew text says Goliath was “six cubits and a span.” Since no one knows for sure exactly how long a “cubit” or a “span” was back then, scholars’ estimate Goliath was somewhere between 9’2” and 11’4”. That’s 2’ to 4’ taller than the center on any professional basketball team. Goliath would make Shaquille O’Neal look like a little guy. In other words he was one big dude!
David, however, was an ordinary sized young man.
STRENGTH. The very weight of Goliath’s armor is an indication of how strong he was. Once again, no one knows for sure exactly how much a “shekel” weighed back then…or even whether this had reference to the lighter “Babylonian shekel” or the heavier “Syrian shekel.” But vss.5-7 of 1 Sam. 17 tell us:
· His coat of armor (scale armor—like a fish’s scales) weighed 5000 shekels (90 to 220 lbs.)
· His spear shaft was “like a weaver’s rod”—at least 2” thick.
· Even the head of his spear weighed 600 shekels (10 to 25 lbs.) That’s heavier than an Olympic shot put!
EQUIPMENT. In addition to the coat of armor and the spear, the text mentions a bronze helmet, bronze “greaves” (which were like shin guards), a sword, a shield, and a bronze javelin. Also (as if he needed any help), Goliath had an assistant who walked ahead of him to carry his shield. And by the way, it’s significant that the text says the spearhead was “iron” because iron is harder than bronze and could therefore pierce any bronze armor that his enemy might be wearing.
Goliath was a walking arsenal—the best equipment money could buy! He probably glittered under the sun and clanked as he walked. He appeared invincible.
And David, on the other hand, had only a shepherd’s staff (i.e. a long stick with a crook on the top) and a sling. (Not a sling shot, but a sling.) The contrast in equipment alone must have given the same impression, as would a foot soldier battling a tank.
EXPERIENCE IN WARFARE. I don’t know how old Goliath was, but he was evidently old enough to have had children already. 2 Sam. 21 and 1 Chron. 20 seem to indicate that Goliath had 4 sons who later became quite formidable warriors themselves.
On the other hand, since the fighting men of Israel were supposed to be at least 20 years of age (according to Nu. 1:3); and since neither David nor 5 other of his 8 brothers were officially part of Saul’s army, we presume that David was not yet 20 years old, but probably only 15 to 17!
By all human standards, then, Goliath was the odds-makers choice.
But, of course, despite all David’s disadvantages, he won! Didn’t he? That fact shocked the Philistines. (They panicked and ran.) That fact shocked the Israelites. And, for the most part, it still surprises us today. None-the-less, (and here’s the point) the Bible presents this story as no accident! It was no “fluke” that David won.
Now, why is that?
I believe the story of David and Goliath is literally true. I believe there are very good reasons why that battle turned out as it did, and why the scripture narrative presents it so matter-of-fact. But before I tell you what that reason is, I want to tell you the titled this sermon “Facing Giant Problems.” It is titled so because this story has applications, ramifications, and lessons for us today.
No, maybe we don’t have to do hand to hand combat with Andre the Giant or Hulk Hogan or the Ultimate Warrior. But we do have some “giant problems” of our own from time to time, don’t we? And from David we can learn how to conquer those giant problems.
What is your “giant problem”?
· Perhaps it’s some sinful practice or habit you’re struggling to overcome.
· Perhaps it’s a feeling of inadequacy or inferiority. You’re just not as talented, or good-looking, or smart, or popular, or whatever as you’d like to be (and think you need to be).
· Maybe you have some physical, emotional, or circumstantial handicap.
· Maybe finances have you down. Maybe worry has you by the throat.
Whatever your “giant problem” is, I want to suggest that you can win the victory over that problem in the same way David defeated Goliath.
Are you ready for the secret now? Here it is. David had an attitude. No, not that kind of attitude. Goliath had that kind of attitude (i.e. a bad boy attitude). David had a different kind of attitude—an attitude that is all too rare today. David had an attitude of victory!
I. HE REFUSED TO BE DISCOURAGED!
In the text, David came to the battle line with a “care package” of bread, cheese, and roasted grain from home for his three older brothers (Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah) who were a part of King Saul’s army. He arrived just in time to hear Goliath shout out his daily defiant challenge to the Israelite army.
Vss. 8-10 = “Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects, but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.’ Then the Philistine said, ‘This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.’”
Goliath created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Vs. 11 = “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.”
The Israelites were like the comic strip character, Charlie Brown, who said, “There’s no problem so big that I cant” run from it.”
Vs. 24 = “When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.”
Even King Saul was afraid! If anyone was big enough to overcome Goliath it should have been Saul who was “a head taller than any of the others.” (1 Sam. 9:2).
But to David’s dismay, none of his countrymen—not even his brothers—dared to respond. The soldiers’ reluctance to fight Goliath surprised and angered him, especially since King Saul was offering substantial rewards to anyone who could survive and solve this giant problem.
So David began to show an interest in taking up Goliath’s challenge himself. And that’s when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, exploded in anger all over David.
Vs. 28 = “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
Discouragements come in all forms, and some of the most damaging come from our own friends and families. Maybe Eliab was still jealous and hurt because he’d been passed over when Samuel anointed David (1 Sam. 16:6). Or maybe he felt a twinge of guilt over his own fear and wanted to justify himself. Whatever his reasons, he spewed out a torrent of resentment. What’s more, he questioned David’s motives and integrity.
Later on, Saul too, threw a little cold water on David’s enthusiasm.
Vs. 33 = “Saul replied, ‘You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.’”
But David didn’t allow his brothers words (or the words of others) to discourage him. That’s my point here!
Any time you are faced with a giant problem and confronted with the challenge to respond to it with faith in God, there will be people who will try to discourage you. “Give it up. You can’t do that. It’s too hard. You’ll never make it. If I couldn’t do it, you can’t either. You’re too young. You’re too old. You’re too stupid. You don’t have enough talent.” Words like that can drain the will out of a person.
So don’t listen to the naysayers. To develop an attitude of victory and overcome giant problems, we must refuse to accept the gloomy predictions of the skeptics who question our motives and who have no faith in the power of God.
I like the old Chinese proverb: “Man who say it cannot be done should not disturb man doing it.”
Preacher and motivational speaker, John Maxwell, says, “The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem.”
Some looked at Goliath and said, “That guy is too big to hit!” But David looked at him and said, “He’s too big to miss!”
When you volunteer to serve God and you come face to face with a giant problem, don’t be surprised if skeptics tell you that you won’t succeed, why you should quit, and why your efforts won’t work. It happened to David, but he refused to give in to discouragement.
II. HE REMEMBERED PAST TRIUMPHS
David was confident to face Goliath because he recalled how God helped him overcome other big problems. As a shepherd, David had been no stranger to adversity and challenge. He made his case to King Saul:
Vs. 34-35 = “…Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.”
And please note that this was no boastful, overconfident remark on David’s part. He gave all the credit to God.
Vs. 36 = “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
I know from experience in my own life that while you are in the midst of some difficult situation it is hard to see God’s hand working in your life. But once you through it and look back on it you can see His leading so plainly. That experience gives me confidence that even if I do not see or sense His leading, He is, and will continue to do so.
Scratched on the walls of one of the Nazi prison camps were the words, “I believe in the sun even when it does not shine. I believe in love even when it is not expressed. And I believe in God even when He is silent.”
Are there not some victories God has helped you to achieve in the past? Remembering past victories can give us confidence to fight today’s battles. And smaller triumphs can help us face big battles with boldness and certainty.
1. David refused to be discouraged.
2. David remembered past triumphs.
III. HE REJECTED INADEQUATE SOLUTIONS.
Finally David persuaded King Saul to give him a chance. Saul agreed that David could confront Goliath, and told him (still with plenty of reservations), “Go and the Lord be with you.”
Trying to be helpful, Saul even put some of his own special battle gear on David to prepare him for combat: a tunic, a coat of armor, and a bronze helmet. Now, some have suggested that this was a rather humorous scene. David Faust suggests that since Saul was unusually tall that Saul’s armor simply didn’t fit David—that “Saul was a size 58 long; David was a 34 regular.”
But I doubt either Saul or David was so foolish as to try something that obviously wrong. David objected to their use not because they were too big for him, but because “he was not used to them.” (Vs. 39). And a short while later he would use Goliath’s own sword to cut Goliath’s head off.
Either way, the point is the same: Saul’s armor was inadequate (and even inappropriate) to David’s problem. And any solution that approaches a spiritual problem from a purely human standpoint is inadequate.
Unbelievers often try to pile on plenty of “Saul’s armor.”
· Are you struggling in your marriage? Some will be quick to counsel, “Just get a divorce.”
· Are you unhappy in your church? Some will be quick to advise, “Just quit. Don’t bother trying to work things out. Who needs the hassle?”
· Or if you’re facing giant financial problems, some will recommend a “get-rich-quick scheme” that has nothing in common with authentic Christian stewardship.
Don’t buy it. The “easy” way isn’t necessarily the “right” way. When we’re faced with the world’s inadequate solutions, we must choose God’s way—the way of faith!
1. David refused to be discouraged.
2. David remembered past triumphs.
3. David rejected inadequate solutions.
IV. HE REJOICED IN GOD’S VICTORY.
I’m talking about “faith” now. Not just “positive thinking.” Goliath thought positively. Goliath “despised” David (vs.42). He “cursed David by his gods.” (vs. 43). And he threatened David saying;
Vs. 44 = “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? … Come here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
No doubt David’s heart was pounding hard. But notice his answer to the giant.
Vss. 45-47 = “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Once again, David’s confidence is not in himself or his own ability. It is in God!
As Goliath drew closer to begin his attack, David placed one of the smooth stones he had chosen into his sling, and slung it at Goliath’s head. David had to make a perfect shot, and he did. It was a direct hit, and Goliath slumped to the ground.
It wasn’t David’s skill that won the battle that day; it was God’s power. It wasn’t a smooth stone that made the difference; it was a strong faith!
Someone has said, “If you never undertake more than you think you can possibly do, you’ll never accomplish all that you possibly can.” Scripture says it better: “With God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26).
Maybe David looked back on this great victory when he wrote Psalm 20—the text we began with today.
Ps. 20:7-8 = “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
With God’s help, David overcame a giant problem. With God’s help, we can too.
1. Refuse to be discouraged.
2. Remember past triumphs.
3. Reject inadequate solutions.
4. Rejoice in God’s victory.
Have you got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do. Let’s pray.
INVITATION:
As the verse said a few minutes ago, “With God all things are possible,” you might conclude then that without God things are impossible. For instance it is impossible to get to heaven without God. It is impossible to get to heaven without Jesus and it’s impossible to get to heaven without turning your life over to Him and allowing Him to come and live within you. So if you haven’t turned over your life to Christ there is no reason why you can’t do it now. His is waiting for you with open arms, wanting you to come. Won’t you do that as we stand and sing our invitation hymn this morning?
