Sermon – Preparation, One Of The Keys To Building A Successful Life!

Sermon – Preparation, one of the Keys To Building a Successful Life!

Scripture Lesson: 1 Samuel 17:51-58 “When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.) As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “I really don’t know,” Abner declared. “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him. As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said. And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”

Introduction: How to slay a Giant? What made David a giant slayer? Armed with only a sling, he picked a stone from a riverbed and slung it at Goliath's head. David's aim was true; the stone struck the giant and killed him, prompting the Philistines to flee. The Israelites were jubilant and King Saul was compelled to place this young, lean teenager, David at the head of his army.

I have always loved the story of David and Goliath. If you haven’t read it in a while, you should read it again, it’s all found in 1 Samuel 17. Even if you’ve heard the story a hundred times, there are many little obscure details that thrill you when you come across them.

When David runs to the Battlefield from the main camp, he finds the soldiers in a mess. The soldiers of Israel’s army are all focused on how impossible the situation is before them. Some nine-footer with an ego, a shield-bearer, and some enormous weaponry is challenging any member of Israel’s army to a one-on-one fight. No one will go. Not even Saul, the tallest, supposedly toughest leader among them (and the one who should, at any cost, be willing to defend his people from potential slavery).

Along comes the thin, lean young teenager, David. David doesn’t look like what he has been through. And this thin, lean young teenager just happens to have defeated some lions and bears along the way, wrestling out of their jaws the lives of his sheep. He’s young and small, but rugged, tough, and fearless. David has a history of facing impossible odds. When the odds are against you and the stakes are high, you must use history and preparation for this moment. Everything up to now has been preparing you for this moment.

You have faced giants before and won. Then you must have a good reason to fight. If the reason is good enough and the desire stronger enough, this is a battle worth fighting. This one battle is the beginning of a new era for the house of Jesse. Not only, that the honor of the God of Israel’s army was a stake. Israel was not supposed to flee before their enemies, Israel’s enemies were to flee before them. Fear caused them to be defeated before one arrow was shot or one javelin was thrown. David’s brothers became angry, just because David asked a question. Never allow people who are doing nothing to stop you from doing what God puts in your heart.

After observing the situation, David volunteer to fight the giant. After much discussion, he convinces King Saul to let him go down in the valley to face Goliath with nothing but a slingshot and five smooth stones. He defies the odds and wins the day. Preachers have been telling and retelling the story for many years, but I’m not sure we’re telling the whole story. I think we’re telling the story as if slaying the giant is the end of story. We encourage people to be like David, “You are like David. You’ve got giants. Get up, go out and face your giant, and take him down in the power of God! Success!” Right? Yet the truth is this is about God’s preparation on your journey to reign.

1. Building a Successful Life is Developed through Overcoming Trials. When Jessie assigned his youngest boy to tend the sheep, David’s life did not look like success. The shepherd field was his place of preparation. If you are faithful in the shepherd’s field, protecting helpless sheep, finding them suitable pasture, leading them to still waters and improving your skills, you are being prepared for your future. Don’t spend any time complaining about your job, limited opportunities, limited recognition, God knows where you are, what you are doing, and where he is taking you.