Facing Your Goliath - I Samuel chapters 16 - 17
We read in the book of I Samuel that David, the youngest son of Jesse, was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to become the next King of Israel. David was just a boy and his job was to take care of the sheep. After he was anointed, the spirit of God was with him and he continued taking care of the sheep. During these times David perfected his skills at playing the harp and also became skilled at using a slingshot. God was with him and he was not afraid to protect and go after predators that tried to steal and kill the sheep. He killed a bear and a lion and even grabbed the lion by its beard and killed it. David knew that God was always with him and he developed a strong relationship with Him. He grew to become a great man of prayer and worship and wrote the beautiful Psalms.
There was a time when Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, were challenging the Israelites to a battle. The challenge was one Philistine against one Israelite. The problem that the Israelites faced was that the Philistine challenger was a giant measuring about 9 feet 9 inches and was extremely strong and wore heavy armor. His name was Goliath and he wore a brass helmet, a coat of mail (weighing 125 pounds), and brass leg coverings. Even his spearhead weighed 15 pounds. All of the Israelites were very afraid of him and no one wanted to fight him. Every day for 40 days Goliath would come out and challenge the armies of Israel.
During this time, Jesse sent his son David to the battlefield to provide food and provisions for his brothers and others in the army. When David found out what was happening, he said he would go and fight the enemy. When the current King Saul heard about David he sent for him and told him that he was too young and had no experience against this great man of war. David told him that God was with him and with the armies of the living God. He relayed his experience of killing a bear and a lion while protecting his sheep and that this Philistine would be no different.
The king agreed and dressed him in armor and gave him a sword to go fight Goliath. After trying on the armor and equipment David said he could not wear them because he was not used to them and had no experience in wearing armor while fighting. He elected to go with his normal clothes, armed with his shepherd's staff (stick), a bag that held 5 smooth stones, and his slingshot. When Goliath saw David he was insulted and said “Am I a dog that you would come to me with sticks?” He then cursed David by his own gods. David replied that he was coming to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and that he would strike him down, take his head, and give his carcass to the birds and that all will know that there is a God in Israel. David said the battle is the Lord’s and he would have victory. He then proceeded to run towards Goliath, swinging his sling and released the stone that hit Goliath right on the open spot of his forehead. The stone sunk into his forehead and he fell to the ground onto his face. David took Goliath’s own sword and removed his head. The Israelite army then shouted for victory and proceeded to run towards their enemy to defeat them.
Although David had never fought a man of war, God had prepared him during his job of watching and protecting the sheep. Often God chooses the lowly and humble to accomplish great things. David was confident of God’s power to protect through his own experiences and acted in faith and spoke of God’s power. He ran towards his enemy with full confidence that God would give him the victory and success.
What is your enemy or your challenge today? Remember the victories that God has given you in the past and use the talents and skills that God has given you to face your enemies/challenges speaking His words in faith by Christ Jesus.
(Mark 11:22-23; Proverbs 18:21)
Personal Development Tip of the Week:
Do you struggle to overcome fear?
I made a video on this not too long on how to overcome fear if you do! Watch here:
Prayer for the week:
Dear Heavenly Father, I am praying over this individual's new week ahead. Thank God it’s Monday lord and thank you for all the blessings you have coming our way. Bless this person to focus on progression today and not perfection. You have great things in store for this person's week and I pray that they remember that they are a child of the most high God capable of doing all things through you lord which strengthens them in Jesus name I claim amen!
-Dayne
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Facing Your Goliath