"Step Up And Serve The Lord With What You Have"

“Step Up and Serve the Lord With What You Have"

I Samuel 17:40-50

One of my favorite Old Testament stories is about David and Goliath. I tend to be for the under dog. Even in the business world when a small business takes on a corporation they talk about David taking on Goliath.

This morning I want us to focus on the theme that David was willing to step up and serve the Lord with what he had experience with, a slingshot.

Have you ever tried using a slingshot? When growing up in I made a sling shot out of leather and used marbles rather than rocks. With practice a slingshot can be used as a lethal weapon.

Young David had undoubtedly practiced many hours with his homemade slingshot and had used it against animals that tried to attack his flock of sheep.

Because of many factors David was not afraid to face Goliath a 9 foot plus giant with a sword nearly as tall as he was.

This giant Goliath had Saul and his army shaking with fear. Goliath had given the challenge, “Pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you’ll all become our slaves and serve us.” I Samuel 17:8-9

When Saul’s troops heard the challenge they were terrified and lost all hope. Saul and his troops saw a giant and failed to focus on the power of God.

For 40 days Goliath would appear each morning and give the same challenge. For 40 days no one stepped up to face Goliath.

What giants are you facing in your life?

Deep debts?

A bank account that is under deposited?

Frustrations at work?

A past you can’t seem to forget?

A secret addiction?

Uncontrollable stress that comes with living in the

Silicon Valley?

Whatever the giants are we face we can learn how to conquer our giants and gain victory by observing the life of David.

David Used What He Had – A Slingshot

On the day David heard about the challenge given by Goliath he had no idea that on that very day he would face off with a nearly ten foot tall giant.

David’s Father had sent him to find his brothers and take them food and supplies. When David came upon the scene of battle he in no way was looking for a fight. As he gave his brothers the supplies he heard the giant shout out the challenge he had been giving for the past 40 days.

What was it that motivated David to take on the giant? Was it what some of the other soldiers told him that the one who killed the giant would receive a special rewards from King Saul: the King’s daughter in marriage and exempted from paying taxes?

As we approach 2009 some of you might take on a giant Goliath for the second reward – “No more taxes.” All twelve months of your income would be for you and your family.

Getting a wife and no taxes are not what motivated David. The question that David asked those standing a round him gives his main reason to step up and face Goliath. “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God.” I Samuel 17:26 b

When King Saul heard about the question that David asked, Saul sent for him. David told Saul that he would go fight the Philistine.

Past Experience

David was ready to fight the giant because of his past experiences. David told Saul why he felt confident to face the giant. He told Saul that when he tended his flock of sheep and “A lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I’ve done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!” I Samuel 17:34-36

Saul tried to get David to wear his armor, but David refused and “Picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherds staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.” I Samuel 17:40

David stepped up to fight because he believed he was not just fighting a giant, he was defending the name of the Lord. No giant should mock the God of all creation. Goliath represented Godzilla in Satan’s clothes. He was anti God, boastful and vile. David was thinking: “Who is this giant like a vile breathing Hulk cannot compare to the almighty God power of God?”