When Enemies Attack

“WHEN ENEMIES ATTACK”

“The battle of David & Goliath is a pretty familiar story to some and I would like to share with you some parts of that story today. I think some of you might be able to say; “Yes I am just like David in a battle with a giant!”

For those who are not familiar with David, he was the son of Jesse and the youngest of 8 brothers. His main job was taking care of the sheep for his dad. One day his father Jesse asked him to deliver some food and supplies to his 3 brothers who were enlisted in King Saul’s army and they were in a battle against the Philistine army at that time. David being obedient took the supplies and headed out to make the delivery and when he got to the campsite he heard that this really tall & scary looking Philistine named Goliath was challenging those in King Saul’s army. Goliath was 10ft tall and he wore 125lbs of armor, this giant was so intimidating that no man in Saul’s army wanted to fight against him.

So starting at v.23 –37

As David was talking with them, he saw Goliath, the champion from Goth, come out from the Philistine ranks, shouting his challenge to the army of Israel.

As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. "Have you seen the giant?" the men were asking. "He comes out each day to challenge Israel. And have you heard about the huge reward the king has offered to anyone who kills him? The king will give him one of his daughters for a wife, and his whole family will be exempted from paying taxes!"

David talked to some others standing there to verify the report.

"What will a man get for killing this Philistine and putting an end to his abuse of Israel?" he asked them.

"Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?" And David received the same reply as before: "What you have been hearing is true. That is the reward for killing the giant."

But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and dishonesty. You just want to see the battle!"

"What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question!" He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him

"Don’t worry about a thing," David told Saul. "I’ll go fight this Philistine!"

Don’t be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!"

But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father’s sheep," he said. "When 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 have 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! The LORD who saved me from the claws of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!"

Saul finally consented. "All right, go ahead," he said. "And may the LORD be with you!"

There are giants we have to face each day of our lives. Certain problems and concerns can feel like giants;

“health~ finances~ marriage~ children~ employment”

These giants often have names: “Cancer~ Drug Addiction~ Abuse~Rejection~Anger~Depression”

Just like Goliath standing in a valley, intimidating and scaring you and trying to put a spirit of fear into you… to keep you from a sure fire victory

God says in 2 Timothy 1:7 “that he has not given us a spirit of fear……….”

Here is some good news; “Giants do not have to win.” We can overcome the giants in our lives.

Lets take a look at those who tried to discourage David-

1. Family (big brother) – Have you ever had someone in your family that you looked up to and admired? And that very same person had cast doubt into your plans?

2. Authority (Saul) - told David he was too young and inexperienced to fight the fight. Have you ever had someone who sat in a seat of position and made you feel inadequate or inferior?

“One of the first things we must do if we are to conquer the giants in our life, is to overcome discouragement”