Got any More Giants?
2004024
Topic # 1121
Introduction:
1. Nothing more common in David’s world than a shepherd & his sheep.
a) Agricultural society.
b) Common to see shepherds leading flock out to graze or drink.
2. David took what people saw everyday & caused them to see God.
B. David uses simple analogy:
1. God was the shepherd; David was the sheep.
2. Basic relationship between shepherd & sheep used by David to define his daily relationship with God.
a) In Psa. 23 we see relationship built on absolute trust.
b) We might summarize it as “faith”
c) Never forget faith is trust – trusting enough to take action!
C. Focus on 23:4.
1. TLV: even if I go through the deepest darkness…I will NOT be afraid LORD, for you are with me.”
2. Demanding; difficult work to find water & pastures in the open range of the Middle East.
a) Sheep grazed not in lush green pastures…this where grain grown.
b) Grazed where grass was thin and scattered.
3. Shepherds would often lead flock to graze in low areas – where grass grew & water flowed.
a) Often these low places surrounded by high cliffs.
b) Only way to go from one area to another was to pass between the cliffs.
c) Perfect situation for ambush. Wild animals wait in shadows.
d) Deep darkness of valley – might quickly become the valley of death.
D. Sheep only went in such areas for one reason. They trusted the shepherd.
1. Keep in mind: shepherd knew where he was going. Sheep followed because they trusted shepherd.
E. When God is our shepherd – He will lead us through places we would not go w/o His leadership. He is the shepherd. We are the sheep. How much do we trust?
1. For a few moments tonight – we’ll take a look at an example from David’s life.
2. David’s victory over the giant…Goliath.
I. The battle setting:
A. 1 Sam. 16:7 – look at what God says to Samuel
1. Samuel looked at Eliab & thought he next king of Israel.
2. God rejected him…God can see where we can’t!
3. We often look at externals & as a result we can form erroneous opinions.
B. Externally – Goliath had all things that would impress & intimidate.
1. He champion of the Philistine army. Clearly foreboding to the Israelite army.
2. Battleground described 1 Sam. 17:1-3
3. Valley of Elah over a mile wide.
4. At bottom of ravine – streambed where David found stones for sling.
5. One side of valley was Israelite army; other side was Philistine army.
C. Goliath described – 1 Sam. 17:4-7
1. 9’9” tall; wearing body armor that weighed 20-25 lbs.
2. Head of his spear: 20-25 lbs.
3. Shield carrier in front: carrying largest shield used in battle – size of full grown man.
a) Imagine how intimidating this scene is.
b) Odds stacked against anyone who faces him.
D. 17:8-9 – common fighting tactic used in eastern world in ancient times.
1. Goliath: I’m the champion. I’m the greatest.”
2. 17:16 – this had been going on 40 days!
E. Aren’t the “giants” we face today this way? (Giants of fear & worry)
1. They don’t come only once & go away.
2. come morning/evening; day after day; relentless; intimidating
3. Come in form of a person; pressure; or worry.
4. Can hammer at our hearts – yelling across the ravine in your own personal valley.
5. Few things are more persistent & intimidating than our fears & worries – esp. when we face them on our own strength!
II. Will the real “giant” please stand up?
A. 1 Sam. 17:17-20 – David runs an errand for his dad. Too young to fight in army.
1. Important: not going there to fight. Could he ever have imagined the events that would happen on that day?
2. Here we see a young man’s faith in action!
B. 17:24 – all of Israel greatly afraid.
1. Not David. Neither impressed nor intimidated by Goliath!
2. 17:26 – who is this Philistine?
3. David realized how big the giant is – God is greater! Power? God is all powerful!
C. 17:25a – “coming up.”
1. 17:8 – “choose a man; let him come down to me.”
a) Goliath at first ventured only as far as valley. Now coming up the other side of ravine TOWARD Israel army.
2. Lesson:
a) We all have our own Goliath’s to face. Tolerate?
b) He’ll take over your territory & move in on your camp.
c) He’ll take your thoughts off God & put them on himself.
3. We can’t tolerate our giants – we must kill them!
D. Note the conversation between David & Saul.
1. 17:32 – David. 17:33 – Saul’s answer.
2. 17:34-37 – David’s statement of faith.
3. See his absolute trust in God?
a) Basis of David’s willingness to respond to Goliath was fact that this man insulted God & that could not be!
b) David trusted God to lead him through the dark shadows & because of God he was not afraid!
E. 17:40 – he goes out to do battle.
III. Got any more “giants?”
A. 17:41-51
B. Look again at 17:48. David ran quickly out to the Philistine.
1. Intimidated? Hardly. Why? 17:47 – the battle is the Lords!
2. His eyes were fixed on God!
3. W/only sling & stone – going after man w/200 lbs of armor. Isn’t that God’s way?
C. Too often we try to fight our own battle. Do it our way; outsmart our adversaries; and fail!
1. God says, “Trust me! Do it my way, and I’ll take care of you. Do it your way & you’ll fail! The battle is mine!”
D. This same element of trust is seen throughout scripture.
1. Consider Jesus’ trust in God – which allowed him to go through deep shadows of crucifixion.
2. Jesus knew life & death is about God – not about Himself.
3. If following God meant accepting a cross then he would accept the cross & place his trust in God!
E. We who are Christians must understand the same thing!
1. Life & death are about God – not about self!
2. Gal. 5:24; 2:20
IV. Where are the lions hiding? Psa. 23:4
A. Most of us do not want to risk losing life – so we very interested to know where the lions are hiding.
1. When we go through our valleys of deep darkness – it’s easy to conclude lions are ready to ambush us where God would lead us.
2. Brethren: the lions are not to be found in following God!
B. There are lions; they’re hiding; and they seek to destroy us!
1. They hide in shadows of materialism – not in following God!
2. addiction; selfishness; arrogance; godlessness
3. When you follow evil’s forces; you are on your own; the lions will destroy you!
Conclusion:
A. Heb. 11:32-12:3
B. Only God will lead you to life beyond death.
C. Do you trust Him enough for Him to be your shepherd?
D. Can you say along with David the contents of Psa. 23:4b-6?
E. I N V I T A T I O N
