“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
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? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 1 Samuel 17:26-29 KJV
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
Goliath defied Israel and their God. God was not going to let that happen. He found a young boy with few qualifications in the natural, but who had an unswerving faith in God. Saul, and Israel’s army, saw a giant, but David saw a mortal man defying Almighty God. David had a cause and God anointed him to fulfill that cause. A teenager killed an experienced warrior, who was impossible to defeat in the natural, all because he looked at the situation, not from man’s point of view, but from God’s point of view. No matter how big your giant is, God has the plan to slay it. What cause has God called you to? What giant is out there defying your God? They will not prevail against a man or a woman, filled with faith, and obedient to His plan.
The devil is a liar – God is true
Goliath had a big mouth and he made a lot of scary sounding threats, but David cut his head off. Goliath trash-talked God, but David lifted God up and magnified Him. The devil tries to intimidate you with his lies and fear – but that is all he is – a liar. The truth will always defeat the lie – no matter how big and scary it is. Start talking about how good and how great God is! The truth will prevail. What lie is the devil telling you? Chop its head off!
Please God – not man
God can only use you to the level of criticism you can handle. Other people’s opinions and criticism could not stop David. The rest of the army stood around waiting for who knows what. David saw that there was a cause, and that something needed to be done. He had God to fight for him, so there was no reason to wait. He took action, found the giant’s weakness, killed him, and cut his head off. People may try to discourage you with negativity or mockery, but you need to continue to do what is right and to do what God has called you to do. Please God – not man.
Courage and faith
David was not encumbered with man’s armor or heavy weapons. He was able to move quickly and stay out of the range of Goliath’s weapons. David was an expert marksman with a sling and stones. What made him dangerous to Goliath – was not just his skill – but his courage and faith in God. Even the most skilled marksman will miss the mark when he is shaking in fear.
Use the skills God has already given you
David had already seen victories against a lion and a bear, so he had experience with impossible situations that built his faith in God. He could not have done what he did without absolute faith and trust in God. When you face new problems, remind yourself of – and encourage yourself in – what God has already done in the past. Your strength comes from God. Use the skills He has already given you and move forward in life.
The greater the challenge, the greater the victory
That one act – slaying the giant – launched David into prominence in Israel. Without Goliath, no one would have known David’s name. He was already called and anointed by God to be king, and it would be years before he sat on the throne, but everyone knew of him and they also knew that the hand of God was upon him.
Sometimes your challenges come not from the enemy, but from within your own camp
David’s victory over Goliath made him very popular with the people. Unfortunately, they made him very unpopular with Saul, who was afraid of Goliath, and who was now violently jealous of David – especially since David now carried the anointing that Saul had lost.
Sometimes the small things are more challenging than the big ones – you need courage and you also need patience
While David was hiding and avoiding being killed by Saul, he faced his greatest personal tests. Even though it didn’t look like it sometimes, God was still on his side and His plan was being worked out in David’s life. When David took the throne, he was no longer a boy, but a mature man of proven character. Because he kept his eyes on God and His help, and because he was patient and conducted himself honorably, the tests, trials, and opposition did not wear him down or take him out – rather they helped to develop his character. It’s not the challenges that have the power to conquer us – it is our own attitude that makes the difference between victory and defeat.
David trusted God to keep His word to him
David had two opportunities to kill the man who was trying to kill him, but he wouldn’t raise a hand to King Saul, the man whom God had anointed and appointed. His men thought it was God delivering Saul into David’s hand, but David had too much respect for God. He showed Saul kindness and mercy and allowed God to deal with Saul. No matter what God has promised you, you need to resist the urge to accomplish it by natural means. The shortcut is not God’s plan. Stay on the path God has placed you on and allow God to bring His plan for you to pass.
