Overcoming the giants in prayer and daily word

1 Samuel 17:1-48 The power of prayer and the power of the word cannot be over emphasized in the life of a believer. It is not just enough to live and exist on the earth; but living victoriously and wonderfully, making a mark in the earth, positively affecting lives for eternity, is the life God designed for his people. These do not come without their trials and testings but the victor lives on the inside of us.

The Power of God and courage faith

David was the youngest of his father’s children. He was a good shepherd whose days were spent out in the fields tending to the needs of his father’s sheep. While in the fields of Bethlehem, David discovered the God of Israel. It was during this time that God called and anointed David as king. David’s anointing did not exempt him from the troubles he was about to face in the fields. He knew who he was and what he was anointed to do. His encounter with the bears and the lions were simply stepping stones to prove God in greater ways.

Jesse sent David on his assignment to take care of his brothers, but God had a different assignment for David (the deliverance of his people). God was preparing David for an incredible task that lies ahead. 1 Samuel 17: 20 “Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed.” David was just a boy-inexperienced, full of zeal and excited about his future.

Negatives – The odds were against him

1. David had no experience like Goliath did. Goliath was known as the undefeated champion from his youth. Now he would be known as a veteran.

1 Samuel 17: 4 – 7 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels, on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

2. The people of Israel were afraid of their enemies’ threats

1Samuel 17:8 -11 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

3. Goliath defied the army of Israel for forty days morning and evening until they were pretty discouraged.

This was a fine scare tactic he used against the people of God, wearing their minds out long enough until they lost all self –confidence and God-confidence. The number forty was so significant to Israel; Moses was 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, and 40 years in the wilderness leading the children of Israel. Moses was on Mount Sinai twice with God for 40 days and 40 nights receiving the Law. Twelve spies investigated the Promised Land for 40 days (http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref). Israel knew that after forty, something was about to happen. The number forty, points to and symbolizes trial and testing, but it seems as though God always shows up and intervenes on His people’s behalf.

4. David’s brother was against him, he was upset with David’s seemingly pompous attitude.

1 Samuel 17:28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

5. Saul was not in favor of David fighting Goliath and he did not believe a boy of David’s stature could undertake such a huge task.

1 Sam 17:33. “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

6. David was no match for this strong Philistine veteran warrior – He had no physical protection, or sophisticated weaponry to conquer his opponent. David was only armed with a sling shot and some stones.

Positives- the odds were undeniably in his favor

1. David was not pompous, as it would appear to the human eye, he was rather God-confident. He knew where his strength lies.

2. David put Goliath in the same category of the bear or lion. He answered Saul with great God- confidence.

1 Samuel 17: 34- 37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the 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. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David addressed Goliath- David had total confidence in God’s ability to bring Goliath down

1 Samuel 17: 45 – 46 David said to the Philistine, “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 I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

3. The forty day period was not so much God stretching Israel’s faith; he could have delivered them in one day, but He wanted them to trust in His ability to save them from the Philistines. However, God always has a plan; He was positioning the young David within those forty days to believe him for victory. The exercise was effortless for David because he was relying on God’s supernatural strength, he was truly depending on God’s super power to deliver them.

Notice, David did not approach the situation in fear or with reservations in his heart, he was absolutely sure, fully persuaded, that the same God who slay the bear and the lion is the same God who is well able to slay the giant.

What giants are you facing today?

You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. David went into the battle knowing already that he was a winner. He went into the battle knowing that victory was assured. So can you and me today. Jesus has already won the battle, we can do just like David. Take the word of God as your stone and release the word in the sling of prayer and watch God move on your behalf.

Goliath with all his shield, bronze helmet, spear, javelin and all the physical protection he could possibly wear, was no defense against the power of God.

Do not take your “behind the scenes” years lightly, where no one sees or knows you. God does. Take the opportunity like David to know God even better. You will need it.

The same God who helped you destroy the bears and lions in your life is the God who will help you slay your Goliath.

Declare boldly just like David: 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Be blessed!
Advancing the Kingdom of God in the earth!