Seeing God Work Series

Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#2]

SEEING GOD WORK

1 Samuel 16:14-17:58

Introduction:

Many years ago, Tharon spoke at the National Federation For The Blind State Convention. Tharon did a great job- He shared his testimony with everyone there. Another speaker talked to us about technology for the blind; and I really was enjoying it until they began to talk about self-driving cars. I have to be honest, while Tharon became ecstatic (along with all of the other blind people in the room); I was shaking my head no. I think having the ability to see something jump out in front of you, miss a pot-hole, or any other unexpected thing is important when driving a vehicle. In fact, just having the ability to see is not enough- We must be looking and paying attention to where we are going. Nothing like almost being ran over by someone texting while driving.

We need to have a plan, a vision; but we need to be paying attention as we are going. What we must have is God’s vision and when that happens we will be able to see clearly. If I have learned nothing else, I have discovered that when you can see God in what is happening; you then realize that He is working; you then will move forward for His glory, honor, and power.

1 Samuel 16:14-23

You can see God working through…

1. Your location.

God sends you wherever He wants you to be. He may uproot you with no notice- He may make you stay somewhere you don’t want to stay- He may send you to deal with some people you don’t want to deal with.

God uses your location as…

* A place of preparation.

* A useful tool for His Kingdom.

* A part of His schedule.

You can see God working through…

2. Your talents and gifts.

Please be careful with the word “your”. God has given you abilities that you cannot even comprehend. God has given them to you for a purpose. If you think that you have done something on your own; remember that pride goes before the fall.

God uses your gifts and talents…

* To minister to whom He chooses.

* To show His power.

* On His schedule.

In Chapter 17, we come upon 1 of the best known Bible stories in the Bible- David and Goliath. The Philistines had gathered the army for war against the Israelites. On 1 hill was the Philistines and on the other hill was the Israelites. They were divided by a valley. Twice a day for 40 days, Goliath (a heavily armored man of over 9 foot tall) and his armor bearer would come out amongst the ranks of the Philistines and offer a challenge to the Israelites. The challenge was, “Whoever is brave enough to come fight me one on one, come on down”. This fight would be a fight to the death and winner take all. Saul and his army trembled with fear every time they heard this threat.

The story turns for a moment to David. David’s father sent David to take food to his brothers and the commander of the unit on the battlefront. When David arrived, he heard the challenge from Goliath, saw how the Israelite men were scared, and listened to how King Saul would reward whoever killed Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:28-33

You can see God working through…

3. Your circumstances.

David didn’t choose to do this, but he ended up right in the middle of the situation.

God uses your circumstances…

* To test your loyalties. Who are you loyal to?

* To test your courage. Who do you listen to?

* To test your trust in His schedule. Who knows when you are ready?

1 Samuel 17:46

You can see God working through…

4. Your faith.

What is faith? It is believing and trusting in something that your senses can’t pick up on. It is having the vision of God. David had a spiritual vision. He had never fought a giant before. He had no clue what was going to actually happen. He just knew that God was showing him a vision of something that was to come to pass in the future. He knew he would win the battle.

God uses your faith to…

* Ignore what people say.

* Stop limiting Him.

* Follow His schedule.

You can see God working through…

5. Your knowing.

Knowing what? Knowing that God is going to win the battle. Knowing that He will not send you to a battle in His name that you won’t be prepared for. Knowing that He can defeat any enemy no matter how impossible it seems.

Most of us know the story; but let me summarize it for you anyways. David went to King Saul and told him he would go fight. When questioned about his age, lack of experience, etc…; his reply was that God had been preparing him while serving as a shepherd. If God could give him victory over a lion and bear; surely He could give Him victory over the giant.