DAVID, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WALK WITH GOD?

Text: 1 Samuel 17:1-11

Title: David, What Was It Like To Walk With God?

Introduction: 

There was a time when most Americans respected the Bible and you could quote it with authority. In 1963, according to Gallup, 65% believed the Bible literally; today the number is only 32%. There was a time when most Americans were familiar with biblical doctrine. You could say, "believe in Jesus," and at least they knew what you meant, but today most would be mystified. There was a time when most Americans accepted absolute standards. They might disagree on what those absolutes were, but they knew that some things are really right or wrong. Today 70% of those polled reject moral absolutes.

Many have pointed to a lack of leadership in the home as a warrant for the above statistics. Recent research is shining light on the importance of male spiritual leadership in the home. Among their findings is the reality that 68 million of our nation's 94 million men don't attend any church. This despite the fact that 86% of men grew up with some sort of church background.

We asked Moses, and he said, “There is nothing too great for my God.  He parted the Red Sea!” 

We asked Joshua, and he said, “Nothing, absolutely nothing is too hard for my Captain and Lord.  Why, He stopped the Jordan River from flowing, and we crossed over on dry ground. He brought down the walls of Jericho and defeated the armies of the land.”

Now today, we ask David, the shepherd boy.

Note - Philistine’s Military might - Besides their warlike nature, effective political organization, and economic power, the Philistines posed a continual threat to Israel because of their early control of the iron monopoly. Iron came into use in Palestine around 1200 BC The Philistines knew the secret of smelting it, which they evidently got from the Hittites. They were able to import, smelt, and forge iron and make use of various iron military weapons. By enforcing a rigid monopoly over Israel, the Philistines were able to make great strides in military encroachments upon Israelite territory.

1 Samuel 13:19-22

19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

I. When others faltered, God gave me a cause.

Note - David was sent by his father, Jesse, with food for his brothers at the Valley of Elah.

A. The Fear of the king and his soldiers – vs. 10-11; 22-27

Note – “The Paralysis of Analysis”

Ill – Many churches are afraid of the battle….

Ill – They are afraid of seeming judgmental so they don’t preach the whole Bible…afraid of seeming weird so they don’t witness…afraid of being radical, so they don’t give!

2 Timothy 1:7 “7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

B. The Rebuke of His Brother – verse 28

Note – If you attempt to do something for God, expect others to question your motives.

Note – Vision attracts criticism. Sometimes vision makes people feel as though they are losing control.

 His brother was angry because David’s quuestion in verse 27 revealed his own fear and lack of faith. Because of Eliabs own fear, rather than repenting and placing his trust in God, he attacked David....

Proverbs 27:4 “4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; But who is able to stand before envy?”

Often, what we categorize as fear is simply a lack of trusting God.

Psalm 56:3–4 “3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.”

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Treat criticism and praise, like bubble gum. Chew on it a bit, but don’t swallow it.

C. The Cause of David – verse 29

Note – Too many are unmoved and unshocked!

Note – David’s cause was patriotic and for the name of the Lord!

Note – God has given us a cause! What are we going to do? Why are we here?

We exist to help people develop a heart for God.

Is there not a cause? What are some causes that I can live for?

The Cause of Christ!

1 John 1:3 KJV 1900

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The Cause of Preaching

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV 1900

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Cause of Hearts for God

Psalm 57:7 KJV 1900

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

The Cause of the Next Generation

Joshua 4:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: 6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

Note - I have three children and8 grandchildren that I want to infuence for cause of Christ!!!

The Cause of Missions

Acts 16:9 KJV 1900

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

The Cause of the Great Commission (Soulwinning)

Mark 16:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

     Note - This is our cause. It is worth sacrificing for….

When others faltered, God gave me a cause.

II. When armour failed, God gave me confidence. – verses 31-39

There is always the temptation to try and use worldly/physical means to fight spiritual battles.

A. Confidence because of Past Victories – verses 34-37

Romans 5:3–4 KJV 1900

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

B. Confidence in Proven Means – verses 38-40

He had not proven himself as a man of war, so he did not feel entitled to wear the armour of Saul.

But he had served God long enough to watch God fight battles and win them!

1. The Power of God – verse 37

Jeremiah 32:17 “17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

2. His Weapons of War – verse 40

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Ephesians 6:10–18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Note- We must keep our confidence in God and in that which He has proven!

· The Word of God

· Hymns and Spiritual Songs

· Consistent outreach

· Living Holy lives

· Teaching the Word of God

· Giving sacrificially for the cause of Christ

When others faltered, God gave me a cause.

When the world’s armor failed, God gave me confidence.

III. When the enemy fought, God gave me conquest.

A. The Criticism of the Enemy – verses 41-43

Note - “Goliath” = "splendour" – From a worldly standpoint, he had “splendour.”

· His height- 9’ 6” – He was taller than any Israelite.

· Helmet of Brass - (v.5)

· Coat of mail – (v.5) "breastplate of scales." A kind of metal shirt…that weighed between 100-150 pounds

· Greaves of Brass- (v.6) Leg armor

· His Spear - The staff was like a weaver’s beam, and the spear head weighed approximately 18 pounds.  It was made of iron (only piece that was not made of brass).

1 Samuel 17:8-10

1. He Intimidated. – verse 8

An American Dictionary of the English Language INTIMIDATE

INTIM´IDATE, v. t. [Fr. intimider; in and L. timidus, fearful; timeo, to fear.]

To make fearful; to inspire with fear; to dishearten; to abash.

(in full battle gear which would make him that more ominous)

The devil and his workers will try and intimidate you as a believer.

In the classroom, in the workplace, in conversation, on social media, in the media...

Remember the devil is a liar..

John 8:44 KJV 1900

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2. He Defied

khaw-raf’ – to reproach, taunt, blaspheme. 

1 Samuel 17:10 “10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

B. The Conquest of Faith – verses 45-50

Ephesians 6:11 KJV 1900

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Verse 45-Name of the hosts of Isreal.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV 1900

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Psalm 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

David’s concern was for the glory of God!! See vs. 46,47

 Remember the battle is the Lord’s and He is always victorious!!!

Revelation 19:11–16 KJV 1900

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 20:10 KJV 1900

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Conclusion

Am I walking with God?

Our decisions next week effect the direction of…

Families

Future

Nation

Souls of lost people

David what was it like to walk with God?

Maybe some have found that others that you have placed great confidence in have faltered….God still has a cause!!!

Maybe some of the things that you thought would be protection…job, personality, finances, etc…have failed….but you can put your confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Maybe some of you have had the enemy attack you this week… but can get the victory if you will just come to Him and seek His guidance!!!

Unsaved friend- everything that you have put your faith in apart from a Holy God will fail!!! Your only hope is to come to Jesus before it is too late!!!