1 Samuel 17
ABSOLUTE FAITH IS THE ABSENCE OF FEAR
1 Samuel 17:1-30
The enemy army had a proposal: fight and defeat our fiercest soldier, win the battle. The King of Israel, Saul, and the tribes of Israel looked down from the mountain into the valley. They saw the Philistine, Goliath, and were 'dismayed and greatly afraid.'
Battle was imminent; there was not a soldier of Israel willing to face Goliath. From among the soldiers, Jesse sent his youngest son home to tend their sheep. Perhaps he was worried for his youngest son, perhaps he wanted him out of the way during the war, but unknowingly, he sent home the only person who was not afraid. David returned home to shepherd the family flock. Meanwhile, Goliath presented himself (and his offer) to the Israel army every morning and every evening for forty days.
Time passed and Jesse once again sent David on a mission: this time to bring provisions to his brothers in the army. Among the company of soldiers, David overheard camp-talk that whoever could defeat Goliath would win the favor of the king: riches, and marriage to his daughter, favor for his whole family. David stood in disbelief, he could not understand why soldiers had not jumped at the chance to face Goliath. Not only was the prize outstanding, the philistine in the way of it was no match for the 'living God.'
No other person had thought in such a way. In fear, they immediately avoided the philistine's proposition. In an instant, each individual measured themselves against Goliath and foresaw defeat. But David, in an instant, measured Goliath against God and foresaw victory. And in an instant, his brothers and the people around him thought him a fool. His brothers called him prideful, reckless, nosy. David did not understand their harsh reaction; he never said that he could easily defeat Goliath, he said that God could. Why should we be afraid of anyone, any-thing as children of the living God?
FAITH IN THE FACE OF FEAR IS A TESTIMONY OF GOD
1 Samuel 17:31-37
In Matthew 15:7-11, Jesus spoke of hypocrites. He spoke of people whose mouths praised God but whose hearts did not. David is an example of the precise opposite: his heart praised God, evidenced by his lack of fear or intimidation of Goliath, and it flowed through his mouth. 'And when the words were heard which David spoke' they were told to King Saul.
King Saul sent for David. He was likely intrigued by the boldness of the words, perhaps even desperately hopeful, and wanted to hear them for himself. But when he saw David, that he was a youth, he lost whatever spark of intrigue or desperate hope he had. He told David that he was not able to defeat Goliath. This was not, technically, a false statement. Yet David presented his case, a testimony of God:
Duly note that David gave God credit for the victory. Moreover, he suggested that Goliath provoked a certain indignation. One man scared the whole army of Israel? Their fear would not be the testimony of God for it would be a false one. What does it say to others about God when we, people who claim to believe in Him, with our actions do not actually believe in Him at all? How could we ever draw people out of their fear and into the strength of God that way?34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
1 Samuel 17:34-37
GOD IS YOUR ARMOR
David's testimony stirred Saul to action; the king began to arm his armourbearer. It foreshadowed what God had already prophesied: David would replace Saul as king. But the king's armor was not the protection David needed, for David wore the armor of God.
1 Samuel 17:38-40
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:11-18
In fact, David decided not to bring the sword Saul gave him. He was not familiar with it, it would only be a burden. Instead, he brought the (above-mentioned) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Indeed David planned to walk into the battle armed with trust in every word God has said. You do not need to be a master swordsman to fight on behalf of the Lord; God has given you gifts that through His might will accomplish the mission. David picked five smooth stones out of a nearby brook and put them in his humble shepherd's bag. He picked up his sling.
FAITH PLACES YOU IN A BATTLE GOD HAS ALREADY WON
1 Samuel 17:41-52
David stood in the valley, the massive philistine walked toward him. Goliath looked at David with distain; he was insulted that Israel had sent an adorable youth to face him. He was insulted that David had not brought a sword; he cursed him and challenged him to step forward to be killed, to be fed to the birds. It does not matter when a fierce enemy curses and promises certain defeat, for the angel of the Lord encamps around the believer who reveres Him in such a way that they fear no one else!
Unfazed by the brutal man, David spoke: "You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45) David boldly told his enemy that his weapon was faith, his strength was God. Humbly, David explained even to the philistines that their might was no match for the least likely of Israel, if that least likely person showed up with God.
David continued:
46 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. 47 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.
1 Samuel 17:46-47
Imagine the reactions of both armies as this young, adorable boy spoke these audacious words entirely undaunted! Perhaps with a smirk or a snarl, indignation at the insult, the Philistine arose and took his final steps toward him. David ran toward the enemy army, grabbed a stone from his bag, loaded his sling and shot it directly into the big man's forehead. The power of the Lord sunk it into Goliath's forehead and he fell on his face to ground. David ran forward once again, stood on the Goliath, took his sword and killed him with it.
The Philistine army, who had placed all confidence in Goliath, watched the youth so efficiently, so effortlessly kill their fiercest champion... and fled. Ran for their lives. The Israel armor took off after them, finally emboldened enough to pursue the fleeing army. David had been emboldened to run toward them as the approached. They were brave when the enemy seemed weak; David was brave when the enemy seemed strong. Still, that faith-filled bravery was (is!) a testimony to the enemy as well as to the believers: the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47).
FAITH INHERITS THE POWER OF GOD
1 Samuel 17:53-58
Israel returned from the battle, victorious. Saul watched David; he asked the captain of the guard: whose son is this youth? David had shown such nonchalance, unruffled feathers in the face of an enemy grown, battle-hardened men had feared. It was no wonder that Saul was shocked, awed and interested; surely he could not have been the only one! No wonder he wanted to know more. Eventually Saul asked David himself, and David answered that he was the son of Jesse. Through Jesse and David's lineage came Jesus. Most importantly, David was a son of God.
And so are we. We are children of God, therefore, with faith like David, we will be delivered out of the paw of lion, out of the paw of the bear (1 Samuel 17:37) when we follow after the lamb, when we face the philistine.