Let's read the story of David and Goliath from
1 Samuel 17:4,8,10-11.
"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.... And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? Am not I a Philistine, and
ye servants to Saul
? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. ... And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid."
What did Goliath call the Israelites (refer to the bold print)? (
"Servants to Saul.")
Did the fact that they were Saul's servants give them courage to defend his honor? (
No.)
How did the army of Israel respond? (
They were overwhelmed and greatly afraid.)
Listen to David's words in
1 Samuel 17:26.
"And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the
armies of the living God
?"
What did David call the armies of Israel? ("
Armies of the living God" or God's servants.)
David didn't see the army of Israel as servants to Saul but to God. In David's mind, who was Goliath making fun of? (
The Israelites and God.)
Read what David and Goliath said to each other in
1 Samuel 17:43-47.
"And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth;
that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."
Who did David say would be the hero of this battle? (
God.)
What did David say would be the purpose for God awarding him victory over the giant? (
That everyone who lived on the Earth and heard the story would know that there is only One True God, the God of Israel.)
What gave David so much courage? (
David saw his responsibility was to stand up for God. He used the skills God gave him, and he trusted God to do the rest. It was God's responsibility to win the battle.)
Because God NEVER CHANGES, He's the same today as He was in David's day. He is ready and willing to help anyone who will stand up for His name and honor.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER:
Because God Never Changes, He can be the hero in your life story just like He was in David's!
TAKING ACTION:
What "giants" are you facing right now? What do you need courage to do? How can you stand up for God's honor? Talk with God about your answers to these questions. Because He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, thank God that you can be confident that He will help you fight your giants just like He helped David fight his.
Because God Never Changes, I will ________________________.
(Note: Fill in the blank by sharing a specific action point.)
