David & Goliath

1 Samuel 17: 32-54

Sermon on 1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath

The Power of Faith Over Fear

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:32–37 “And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Key Idea: David's faith in God gave him the courage to face Goliath when others were paralyzed by fear.

Illustration:David, a young shepherd, volunteered to fight Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior, while the entire Israelite army, including King Saul, were terrified. David's faith was rooted in his past experiences where God had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear. He believed that the same God would deliver him from Goliath.

Application:In our own lives, we often face "giants" that seem insurmountable. These could be fears, challenges, or obstacles that intimidate us. Like David, we need to rely on our faith in God to overcome these fears. Remembering how God has been faithful in the past can strengthen our faith to face current challenges.

God Uses the Unlikely

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:38–40 “Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.”

Key Idea: God often chooses the least likely individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Illustration:David was not a warrior; he was a shepherd. He was not trained in battle and was not equipped with the traditional armor or weapons of war. Instead, he chose to use his shepherd’s staff, five smooth stones, and a sling. This unconventional choice highlights how God can use the ordinary and the overlooked to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Application:We might feel inadequate or unqualified to serve God’s purpose. However, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. He can use our unique skills, backgrounds, and experiences to fulfill His plans. We should not underestimate what God can do through us, no matter how unlikely it may seem.

Trust in God, Not in Worldly Resources

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:45–47 “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

Key Idea: Victory comes through God’s power, not through human strength or weapons.

Illustration:David confronted Goliath not with a sword, spear, or javelin, but in the name of the Lord Almighty. He declared that the battle was the Lord’s and that He would deliver Goliath into his hands. David’s trust was not in physical weapons but in God’s power.

Application:We often rely on our resources, abilities, or status to overcome problems. However, true victory comes from relying on God’s power and wisdom. In spiritual battles, faith and reliance on God’s strength are our greatest weapons. We need to trust God more than we trust in our own capabilities or the world's resources.

God’s Glory in Our Victories

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:50–54 “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.”

Key Idea: The victories God gives us should point back to His glory.

Illustration:When David defeated Goliath, it was clear to everyone that it was God who delivered the victory. This event not only saved the Israelites but also demonstrated God’s power to both the Israelites and the Philistines. David’s triumph led to a broader recognition of God’s might and sovereignty.

Application:Our successes and victories are opportunities to testify about God’s goodness and power. When we achieve something significant, we should give glory to God and acknowledge His role in our achievements. This not only honors God but also serves as a powerful witness to others about His active presence in our lives.

Conclusion

The story of David and Goliath teaches us about the power of faith, the value of being unlikely vessels for God’s work, the importance of relying on God’s strength, and the necessity of giving God the glory for our victories. As we face our own giants, let us be inspired by David’s example to trust God completely, to step out in faith, and to celebrate His power at work in our lives.