Scripture:
1 Samuel 17:31-37 ESV
[31] When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. [32] And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” [33] 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.” [34] 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, [35] 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. [36] 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.” [37] 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!”
Observation:
Saul was told about what David was saying, and it caught his attention. He had David brought to him. So they could have a conversation. You young man probably took him by surprise when the first thing out of his mouth was…let no one’s heart be fail because of him. In other words, this guy is a big windbag he is all talk. GOD’s got his number, and it’s in the form of overconfidence. David asks to be sent to fight this giant that all the other men have allowed to intimidate and bully them for the past week. Saul does his best to tell David it’s not a good idea this guy is battle-tested and you are just a kid. But David was really already prepared for this moment. You see he had been battle-tested as well. GOD had removed David’s fear in the fight against a lion and a bear. He was already used to fighting for sheep that did not dare to stand up for themselves. GOD had given him courage. It may not have been in the same way however it may have been a better form of courage. I believe that the most important statement that David made was at the end of these verses. That is this guy is not against me…he is defying GOD HIMSELF and therefore has no leg to stand on. David knew the deliverance of the LORDhe had experienced it already.
Application:
All the trials that you have been through in life, have prepared you for this moment. I don’t know the giant you are facing. But it’s honestly no different than the ones GOD has already delivered you from. Each victory has prepared you for the next. GOD is not going to bring you to a battle HE has not made you ready for. Others may see you as not ready but what has GOD shown you? Did HE deliver you from addiction? Has HE given you victory over old behaviors? Has HE shown you how to be courageous in the face of what looks impossible to everyone around you? And honestly, who are you allowing to speak into your life? Are you believing them, or the word of GOD? I am saying all this to tell you. Take courage the battle belongs to the LORD. Stand on what HE says not what they say. I hear people tell me all the time. You don’t have to do this. They see that the path that GOD has me on is not easy, and by no means comfortable most of the time. GOD has spoken to me victory… I am saying speak life. Those who tell you you can’t are speaking from their own fear. Believe GOD… HE says I have made you more than a conqueror… You have been battle-tested you are ready for the fight…and I (GOD) will bring you out unscathed. I (GOD) have made you for this. I could go on and on about this. All I am trying to do is get you to see. GOD has a plan that involves the fight you are facing right now. Take courage and cut the head off the giant.
Prayer:
Father, you are good. Each step that you have brought us to, has made us ready for the next. It may look like a giant, but we are no longer scared little boys and girls. You have tested us by fire. We are battle-ready show us the 5 smooth stones we need for the fight. You have given this giant into our hands. You have prepared us to put this issue that keeps on taunting us to death. Let us do so. If that means whipping those old thoughts out of our minds by the grace that is found in the blood of Jesus so be it. You have given us victory, and that comes in many different forms. We love you and we trust you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen