Facing the Impossible (2)

Experiencing David’s Challenges

Angaryliov;yan Timax

“or2a-ov;ivnnyr Tavi;i Hyd

1 Sam 17:31-37

David heard the challenge (23-27)

For forty days this giant was challenging the Israelites. Every day they saw this man and they were terrified. David heard the words of this man and he was offended. When he heard a blasphemy of this man against the LIVING GOD, he had to take action.

Please notice the difference between the two people. The Israelites, including the king, hear these words and do nothing. This young boy says: “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”(26)

How long can we keep hearing the challenges of the world and not act?

How long can we stay silent, hearing day by day the challenges of the “giants” mocking our faith in our God?

I am not suggesting that we should act violently against the world. I am saying the church should act and protest in Christlike manner, being salt and light to make a difference in the world. We cannot be passive.

David is not welcomed (17:28-30)

“Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” (28)

How strange it is that opposition comes from home, from your own. David’s brothers knew that Samuel had anointed him. I wonder whether jealousy played a role. “Why he and not us?”

We all go through this. Why do we have a problem when we see someone doing God’s work? Why are we experts in criticizing people when they are serving the Lord? (Ask yourself if you do this???)

The Mission, the challenge (17:31-40)

The king heard about David, and he sent him the news to come to court.

David convinced the king why he was the right person to fight Goliath.

The most important phrase is:

“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.” (17:37)

David was prepared in the wilderness.

He was prepared as a poet, a musician, a warrior, a shepherd, and a man prudent in speech (His resume according to 16:18). This war is not his war; it is God’s war.

We have to see this in our ministry, otherwise we will give up. Our lives are gifts from God. We trust Him in our daily walk. It is His mission; it is His church.

The king tried to arm him. It did not work. (17:32-40). David used his means, five stones and a sling. With the help of the Lord, he won the battle and the giant man fell down on his face (17:41-54).

This scene reminds us of what occurred when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the house of their god Dagon. The following morning, the god of Dagon was found face down and shattered before the Ark (1 Sam 5:2).

Reflections and application

Surrender to God in your daily life (another word for trust)

David was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. (Last Sunday we saw how the Lord was with him.)

He came to the field without knowing what the mission was exactly. Yet he trusted God and came. He faced a giant, an impossible situation, like a dead end. For forty days no one saw a possibility of winning. David saw things differently, because he trusted God.

In the book “Trusting God Even When Life Hurts” by Jerry Bridges, I found an interesting statement about TRUSTING GOD.  Let me quote this statement. “The moral will of God given to us in the Bible is rational and reasonable. The circumstances in which must trust God often appear irrational and inexplicable.  The law of God is readily recognized to be good for us, even when we don’t want to obey it.  Yet the circumstances of our lives frequently appear to be dreadful and grim or even tragic” (page 16).

The best tool Satan uses to conquer us is to replace faith with doubt. After doubting, disappointments follows, then you give up from everything.

I don’t understand why the missionaries died in Afghanistan last week. Six missionaries were executed last week. One of them was serving for thirty years. I know one thing: God is sovereign and He is in control. That tragedy will bring something greater for His glory. This means trust God even when your are face to face with giants.

Use whatever you have

It was God who worked through David. David also took the initiative to get prepared in the wilderness. He used whatever he had, five smooth stones and a sling. Five stones, not one; he had some reserve with him. God will do his part and we have to do our part.

We have victory through Christ

Last Sunday we discovered a parallel between the stories of David and Jesus. David’s story is a preparation to THE EVENT: Christ’s coming to our world.

David was from Bethlehem, a young boy. Even his family rejected him. His father sent him to the court of the king on a donkey with bread and wine and a goat for sacrifice. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and he shared the bread and wine which represented his body and blood. He himself became the sacrifice for our sins.

David was facing Goliath the giant. He cut the head of this man. Jesus faced many giants such as the Romans, the Jewish authorities, the scribes and the priests, and lots of opposition. Jesus did not cut the head of those people, although Peter tried with his sword, yet Jesus approached this people like a shepherd, but a new shepherd. The enemy killed him. The enemy won. But in his apparent victory the Devil himself lost the war, he was defeated; death and sin were defeated. (It was the death of death.)

“… by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”  (Col 2:14-15)

We are not promised an easy task. The road will be rough. Giants will be on the road blocking our mission. Christ had victory over all obstacles. Through Him we can face the “giants”.

Amen