Yesterday we looked at David as a young man before his battle with the giant Goliath. God was preparing him while serving, and while he was faithfully following God in obedience. Today, let’s look at the massive job that David took on to kill the adversary of Israel. In I Samuel 17:49-51, we see the culmination of David’s trust in His God. He kills the giant!
I Samuel 17:49-51 “And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore, David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.”
What were the lessons we can take away from David’s victory so that we can learn how to secure our victory over the giants the world throws our way?
First David was in the trenches doing the menial task of being a shepherd. He learned how to fight and defend while defending his sheep. No task was too big or too small. He served wherever God placed him.
Second, David used the weapons God had placed in his hands to defeat the Giant. David used a slingshot and smooth stones to fight a giant! This weapon assured that God gets the glory, not David. God has given each of us the weapons of His word. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to guide us in all truth. In II Corinthians 10:4, Paul teaches us that the weapons we use are not the weapons that are customary in this world. They are weapons that are rendered powerful and effective through the power of God. In Joshua 6:20, God instructed His people to take the walled city of Jericho by marching around it quietly for 6 days and on the 7th day to march around the city 7 times and the priest will blow the trumpets and the walls will fall down. There was no mistake that the battle had been won for God’s people by God. No one would have fought a giant or an entire city this way and won, except God be the victor.
II Corinthians 10:4 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
Joshua 6:20 “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
Third, David’s confidence was in God, not himself. Many times, we ask God to work on our behalf but when we finish praying, we start planning how we can solve the problem. We are to pray fully trusting that God will work on our behalf to accomplish His will. If we ask, God will give us wisdom. God will work in and through us, but it will be based on the character of God and His word. Sometimes we just need to be patient and trust His timing. Don’t get ahead of God.
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him.”
Fourth, there is no giant too big for God to conquer. Goliath was no match for God. When God used Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, the Red Sea was no match to hold back the Israelites. Pharoah was no match for God. God has no rival. Satan thought he was/is a rival of God’s, but he is not. A rival is someone who is competing for the same objective or goal. Rivals are seen as equals but Satan is no match for GOD! He is not a rival. He is a created being. God will always win! In Isaiah 40:12-31, there is a great description of how great our God is above everything and everyone. When we are confident of God getting the victory, we can face anything.
Isaiah 40:25 “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.”
Isaiah 40:28 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”
Fifth, David had a purpose. He wanted to glorify and honor his God. He was determined to show the power and glory of the God of Israel. In I Samuel 17:29, David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” We as Christians have a great purpose. We are the way God has chosen to show himself to a lost world. He left us here to be a light that points to Him. We are to pull people from the fires of eternal hell by taking them to Jesus. There is no greater purpose in life than being part of the salvation of a soul. To sum it up we are to glorify Him in all parts of our lives. I Corinthians 10:31 is a simple-to-read verse, and simple to understand, yet can be difficult to do consistently. However, with God in control, we can live a life that brings glory to Him.
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
