He hears and He answers (David and Goliath)

Intro

So tonight is week two of our study following the Life of David.

David is an important figure in the life of Christianity. Not because he was perfect, but because he was flawed.

David is known as the “One after God’s own Heart”. This is a big deal! Definitely the greatest title He would receive, but not his worst.

David represents both the best and the worst parts of humanity.

He made mistakes, He struggled, He lived a real life.

In different parts of the Bible we see different angles taken when viewing David’s life.

Tonight, we’ll study one of those passages, where David isn’t really us.

Let’s look at 1 Samuel 17 together

1 Samuel 17:1-3

1 Samuel 17:1–3 ESV

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

Context

This war had been going on for some time between these two nations. Scholars note that prior to this battle, there had been a ton of battles on the Philistine’s turf. So the tide is shifting here. It seems that the Philistines have gained some ground, and may have momentum against the Israelites.

But we find them in a type of Standoff.

Both nations have taken defensive positions on hillsides on either side of this valley. Neither wanting to pursue the others. Why? Because if they were to move, they would give the advantage of the high ground to their enemy.

So the Philistines try to manipulate the situation by putting all of their hope in one man.

Who? Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:4-7

1 Samuel 17:4–7 ESV

4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him.

Many of us have heard the story of David and Goliath for most of our lives.

But what does this story actually mean for our lives. Well, more than you may realize.

You see, Each of the people/groups in this story represent different aspects of our own lives.

The First is that:

Goliath = The Hope of this World

Goliath was the perfect warrior. He had everything that most people in our world chase after everyday.

He had Size

The Bible Says that he was roughly 9 1/2 ft tall, and was strong as an oxe!

Think about how many of us say to ourselves, man if i was just a little taller. If i could just get a little stronger. If i could just get a little faster. If i could just jump a little higher.

Goliath had it all!!

He had Stuff

How many of us are gearing up for the fall?

We’re looking at that new treestand. That new camo.

Girls yall are trying to get that new Lulu lemon.

Whatever it is. Goliath had it.

Status

Not only did he have the support of his people. He was bold enough to shout insults and challenges to the Israelites day after day after day.

Notice that noone on his side stopped him. and Noone on the other side challenged him.

Until a little boy, that wasn’t even suppose to be there got wind of what was happening.

David = The Hope of the Jesus

Most of the information that we have of David is of what he did as an adult. But here, he was a nobody.

We saw last week that he had been anointed the future king, but only a few people knew that.

To everyone else, he was a little annoying shepherd boy, who had no business being on a battle field.

But all that changed in an instant.

David was there bringing his brothers food and he figured out what was going on.

1 Samuel 17:23

1 Samuel 17:23 ESV

23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

Up until this point, David didn’t know what was happening. He just knew there was a war, but then He saw what was going on and knew what he had to do.

In the Same way, Jesus wants to hear what’s going on in our lives. Sure, He can see it. But He wants to hear it from us. He wants us to pray and ask Him to help. He wants us to trust Him more than we trust ourselves.

A lot of times, we try to fix our problems ourselves. When Jesus is standing there waiting for us to ask him, but we never do.

Here, David represents Jesus and His Ability and Willingness to overcome the trials we will face in this world.

Let’s look at the two groups and what they represent.

Philistines = Our Overconfidence in the World

While we like to think we’re nothing like the “bad guys” in this story. We’re a-lot more like them that we might like to admit!

They see Goliath and they see:

Power

Pride

Wealth

These are the things that many of us today believe will take us far in this life, but the truth is they will cause us to hit the ground quicker than Goliath’s body did when David put that rock in his forehead.

The Philistines were far to confident in Goliath, and we are far to confident in this world, and in ourselves.

Then we see the last group.

Israelites = Our Fragile Faith

Saul and the Israelites saw this boy, and doubted His ability to do what he said He could.

Some Laughed

Some insulted

Some Ignored

Conclusion

The Same thing happened to Jesus during His life, and even today

Some don’t really believe that He can do what the Bible says He can.

Others just think He’s a made up fairy tale.

But let me tell you. When we give Jesus control over our situation and our life, He will defeat the giants in our lives in the same way that David did here.

We just have to get out of our own way, and let Him in.

In case you didn’t know this, David is one of Jesus’ Great Great Grandfathers.

And The Almighty God used Him to pave the way, and give us an example of who Jesus would be, and who He continues to be today.

Stop trying to fight the Giants in your life alone. Let Jesus fight your battles!