VICTORY IN THE LORD
1 Samuel 17:45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
1. Introduction
a. Sometime after David commenced his role of court musician, Israel was again in peril at the hands of the Philistines. The armies were drawn up on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah, a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. Apparently intimidated by each other, they decided that the outcome should be determined by a contest of champions who would engage each other in combat.
b. The Philistines offered Goliath, a giant (about 9'9" tall!), but Israel could find no one worthy, not even Saul.
c. Goliath wore a bronze helmet and a coat of scale armor weighing 5,000 shekels, that is, about 125 pounds, and bronze greaves. He was armed with a bronze javelin, and a long spear with a 15-pound iron tip!
d. At last David heard of the dilemma and, having been sent to the camp of Israel with provisions for his brothers, begged Saul to let him take on the Philistine.
e. Reluctantly Saul agreed and David, armed only with his confidence in God, a sling, and five smooth stones, slew Goliath and brought back his severed head in triumph.
f. Your Goliath may be marital challenges, miscarriage of justice, job issues, official oppression, or some other.
g. To bring down the ‘Goliath’ in your life, here are three things you must do:
2. Stand up to Goliath!
a. This lesson demonstrates that success comes only through God, not through human ingenuity. David was anointed king well before he had proved himself as a mighty warrior. When he did fight, he won only in the name of the Lord.
b. The same can be said for the victories of Samuel, Saul and Jonathan. The Lord would not be coerced into fighting on Israel’s behalf. When the Lord left Saul, defeat was inevitable. Like wise, today it is possible to do great things only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of His Spirit.
c. Any problem you try to excuse or escape, you empower. Any problem you try to run from, you run into.
d. A heart for God is displayed in your actions, not in your appearance.
e. After listening to Goliath’s threats every day, fear gripped the hearts of God’s people and they couldn’t stand up to him.
3. Remember what God has already done for you.
a. David recalled his victories over the lion and the bear. And you must do the same.
b. David's confidence came from the belief that he was on God's side, not that God was on his side.
c. David had total confidence in God as the Lord of armies, and advanced fearlessly for the honor of God's name.
d. By abandoning God Saul had lost the moral and spiritual force so vital to leading.
e. David displayed the very strengths Saul lacked.
f. Jeremiah said, ‘This I call to mind…therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.’ (Lamentations 3:21–23 NIV)
g. The heart of this lesson is David's confession. Outward physical appearances were nothing when compared with the power of the unseen God. David relied not on Saul's armor but on his own proven abilities. Above all, he remembered what was truly important. The victory would become a witness to the world of who God was and is. David's conquest over Goliath revealed the power that one faithful person could possess.
h. Yes, Goliath of Gath was a champion, a warrior experienced at combat. Not only that, he was a giant of a man armed with giant weapons. David had only a sling and some small stones. But David had something that Goliath didn’t have.
i. David had a secret weapon. David had faith in the living God!
j. When David came at Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts, there was no competition.
k. The strength to deal with today’s struggles comes from remembering how God helped you solve yesterday’s struggles. With faith in the living God, we can do anything God calls us to do, even defeat the giants in our lives.
4. Cut off the Goliath’s head.
a. ‘David…took his sword…and cut off his head…And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.’ (1 Samuel 17:51 NKJV)
b. David cut off his head, both to be sure that Goliath was dead and to use it as a symbol of the utter defeat of Goliath and the Philistines.
c. You need to know your spiritual enemy, study his tactics, and be willing to fight with the same level of intensity as he does.
d. You must take what you learn and apply it to his weak areas.
e. And never assume he’s dead when he’s just dazed.
f. If you do, he’ll sneak up on you another day.
g. David’s strength was his reliance on the Lord. Our strength is our reliance on the Lord!
h. Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.
i. Those who are shooting us down in the streets and those who are validating and justifying the murder of our people by public servants, beware God will avenge our blood.
j. Psalm 9:12 For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.
k. God, who is the avenger of blood, will not overlook your deeds of violence!
l. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
5. Conclusion
a. Go for a permanent solution, not a short–term fix:
i. Fortify yourself with prayer
ii. Renew your mind with the Word of God
iii. Reach for the support that’s available to you through your spiritual family.
b. Above all, remember your strength doesn’t lie in yourself, but in God.
c. With God on your side you cannot lose.