Narrative Preaching: David and Goliath

I can’t Believe what I saw

Exegetical Idea: Divine Intervention: The narrative emphasizes God's intervention in human affairs. David attributes his victory to God, making it clear that the battle was not won by human might alone. This underscores the idea that success comes through reliance on God's guidance and assistance.

Homiletical Idea: faith and trust: Faith and trust in God leads to victory and freedom.

What do you do when nothing is going according to God’s promise in your life?

Have you ever been at the moment where you look out and see everything going wrong and yet no one is willing to step up and do anything to change the situation?

[Setting the Scene]

Picture the rugged hills of Bethlehem, where my days were spent tending to my father's sheep. Little did I know that my humble existence would prepare me for a divine appointment—one that would change the course of history.

In the quiet pastures where I tended my father's flock, little did I know that my journey would take me from the gentle grazing lands to the battlegrounds of faith. My life, seemingly ordinary, became the canvas on which the Almighty painted a tale of courage, faith, and defiance against all odds.

This is what happened when I was sent as a delivery boy by father to give food to my brothers who were serving in King Saul’s army as they fought against our enemy the Philistines!

The Philistine giant, Goliath, stood as a symbol of fear and oppression, challenging the armies of Israel day after day.

[The Call to Action]

As I visited my brothers in the army camp, I witnessed the fear that gripped the Israelite soldiers. Their hearts quivered at the mere mention of Goliath's name. In that moment, I felt a calling—a calling to face the giant and trust in the God who had delivered me from the paw of the lion and the bear.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on that fateful day, I, the youngest of Jesse's sons, found myself standing at the crossroads of destiny. The Philistine giant, Goliath, bellowed challenges that echoed through the hills. Fear danced in the eyes of seasoned warriors, but a fire ignited within my heart. A fire fueled not by the armor of men but by the unwavering belief in a God whose strength surpasses any earthly might.

[Choosing Faith over Conventional Wisdom]

Saul, the king, tried to clothe me in his armor, but I knew I had to rely on the weapons of my trade—a simple sling and five smooth stones. The world may have scoffed at my choice, but I chose to trust in the God of Israel rather than the conventional wisdom of man.

I remember the clanging of Saul's armor, a symbolic gesture of conventional strength. But my faith was unsheathed, and I opted for the sling that had guarded my father's sheep. For I knew, it wasn't the weapons of men that would prevail, but the strength bestowed by the Almighty.

[The Power of Faith]

In that moment, standing before the behemoth, I saw not just a giant of flesh and bone but a symbol of the fears that plague us all. Goliath, with his taunts and threats, embodied the doubts that whisper in the darkest corners of our minds. And yet, armed with nothing but faith, a shepherd faced the impossible.

The stones in my sling were not mere pebbles; they were emblematic of trust, of divine guidance. With each twirl, I cast not just a stone but a statement - a proclamation that the battle is not ours but the Lord's. The giant fell, not to the might of a warrior but to the faith of a shepherd.

With a single stone guided by divine precision, Goliath fell to the ground. The victory was not mine but the Lord's. It was a testimony that when we face our giants with unwavering faith, God's power is made manifest in our weakness.

[Applying the Lessons]

Beloved, in our lives, we face giants—challenges, fears, and uncertainties that threaten to overwhelm us. Yet, the story of David and Goliath teaches us that it is not the size of our problems but the size of our God that matters. Let us be like David, choosing faith over fear, and trusting in the Almighty to guide us through the battles we face.

Brothers and sisters, reflect on this tale not merely as an ancient parable but as a living testament to the power of unwavering faith. We all face our Goliaths – be they personal struggles, doubts, or the burdens of the world. But let this narrative echo in your hearts, urging you to unsheathe your faith in the face of adversity.

[Closing Prayer]

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, grant us the faith of David, that we may face our giants with confidence in Your strength. May we be reminded that with You, nothing is impossible. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.