The Giant-Slayer

Introduction:

P.O.V. - Viewing Biblical princip. thru eyes of OT figures (SS stories)

The Fall {Follow voice of God, not serpent}

The Exodus {“who is YH?”; He rules all!}

When we read these stories of greatness or perseverance or determination,

“It's tempting to make ourselves the hero of the narrative.”

I don’t think it’s 100% wrong, but our application can’t solely be self-embetterment or empowerment.

We examine each character’s motives and actions.

We should be focusing on their relationship to / how act in respnse to God!

GOD & His plan is the central focus of the Bible.

We get to be the healers or the faithful or the warriors… but ONLY by the grace of God & Christ Jesus!

Element of truth in putting 'selves in the story.

Can only arrive there once we’ve discerned how God was working or what point was from beginning.

TODAY: talk about one story in particular that preachers are rather guilty for this error >>

David the Giant-Slayer

Isr. gave God first king -Saul- but he failed assg’t & was rejected.

Saul given opp. to trust YH & do right… reject’d! Proph Samuel calll’d 2 anoint a NEW king!

1 Samuel 16:11–13 “[Samuel] asked [the father], “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel replied, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” [When the boy arrived,]… The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn full of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

Dave skilled music’n, harp, poet, songw’er {Psalms]

Also handsome, FIT, athletic.

Called on to be next in line 2b king; would B great king!

Before then, Isr. had a giant prob! GIANT-problem.

Hey-o! video: David & Goliath (FAM. SERVICE!!)

Like Jesus… >>

David Trusted God…

Precursor thoughts

with the Outcome

David trusted God for the victory even before it happened >>

1 Samuel 17:45–46 “David said to [Goliath], “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands… and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

“Lord Almighty” [YHWH Sebaot]: LORD of hosts/ heaven’s army

&& “God of Israel’s army”!

Believed: God had an array of warriors in heav’n & on earth!

Even when his earthly warriors are running scared, YH has an army of angelic warriors!

David wasn’t concerned about HIS glory! “whole world will know”

D’ was concerned about spreading the glory of YH!

Wanted to win bc it meant that the creat’r-God got credit!

Trying to make the name of God famous! Make ex. out of him!

How many of you enter into the next day really believing that God has things under control?

Q: Do you believe that ‘God’s got it’? Do you live it out?

How easily do you let go of offense? How much do you find yourself worrying about when you’ll have time to do XYZ??

Do you feel like you have to accomplish A-E before you can rest with God? Before you deserve attention?

Do you feel like you have to be holy/ perfect before God can speak to/ use you? Before you can seek him?

God’s is bigger than your biggest problem! God’s grace is better than your worst mess.

He wants to be your solution. He longs for your seeking.

Dav’ trusted G. with the Outcome. ALSO: >>

with the Method

Dav’ was careful not to enter into the fight with the wrong tools >>

1 Samuel 17:38–40 “Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.… “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag…”

'times we think that God can ONLY use this certain method for victory! But G. has another way prepared entirely.

We box God in with our own logic or practicality s’times…

Do you really think that the only way He can work is UR way?

Isaiah 55:9 ““As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Sometimes we want G. to have the victory, but don’t us HIS methods!

We say we trust YH, but also try have prob. solv’d using satan’s methods.

We try to assert pwr/ influence. Schmooze right ppl.

We search & search for bettr deal (most painless) inst. of doing know is best.

Use gossip, guilt, shame to pressure some1 into *right* choice.

Cut corners or cheat to favor my conven’ce or time.

We try to do ALL & not ask for help or invite ppl by our side…

Don’t lower yourself to the enemy’s tactics! WWJD!

Do what’s God’s best every time. Even if more conve’nt

Heads up: Won’t be what every1 recommends. Might feel uncomfortable or foreign… look like God-thing!

Pray about each situation & how to respond. Look at His Word to guide your next steps. WWJD?!

Counsel w. Bible-beliv’g Xian men/wom who demo. faith.

G. knew the outcome & the meth’ by which D’ would ach’ve it. D. trusted >>

and was Ready

Before David ever picked up any stones, HE alone had a willing heart.

Every person in army had chance to be the vict. one. What true for D’ may have been for them.

They couldn’t see it. All saw was giant >>

1 Samuel 17:24 “Whenever the Israelites saw [Goliath], they all fled from him in great fear.”

See, D’s faith in YH & time spent cultiv. trust gave him amazing confid. & will’gness to obey >>

1 Samuel 17:32 “David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.””

“See giant prob. over there; don’t worry! I got this. God’s got this.”

D’ was ONLY person will'g to even CONSIDER the battle. Every1 else ran fear!

Ev’1 backed down, said: too dang.! too scary, improbable!…

U’ve balked @ opp.? “Too much work! Too heavy, complicated, time-consuming, hard, uncomfortable.”

D’ said: God’s enough!

Maybe not the opp. that’s probl, but your priorities… invest most time in?

How did David have this kind of will’gness?! Trust?! Let me tell:

David’s trust in God started wayyy before he collected 5 stones @stream >>

Trust is a Daily Decision

David daily walked with God, prayed to Him, trusted Him, prob. even read Torah.

Every day was a choice to do the right thing, follow his way.

In fact, when he was presented w. trad. way of protec. D’ said:

1 Samuel 17:39 “…I cannot go in [this armor]… because I am not used to them.”

Not that the armor didn’t fit; wasn’t his style… not used to fighting by normal means; used to GOD’s direct protec.!!

In wild'ss, pasture, field, mountain - day in & out - D’ relied on G!

Trust God for the Small Things

Everyday joy peace - not comfort or contentment, nec…!

Daily sense of God’s goodness at work & holding you.

Every day prac. of cultiv. of a trust in God even when things out of control!

Most famous Psalms penned by same David:

Psalm 23:1–3 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

D’ envis. YH much like his own occupation, leading & guid’g to best way.

Dave can trust God w/ the battle-trained giant because he'd trusted God before!

David’s battle-ready trust didn’t come out of blue! :

1 Samuel 17:34–35 “David said to Saul… “When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from [my] flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.”

D. being trained by harp & sling & daily perils of shepherding in ancient wild’ss.

Every day was a new chance to show God that He was God & Dave was His servant.

Practical Trust things: ??

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