When we develop our relationship with God and we know who He truly is and who we are in Him, our faith will likely be persecuted. As believers we expect this from the world (John 15:18-25) but where we miss it sometimes is that it comes from the church as well. This is dangerous, especially for new believers who filled with zeal have recently learned of the precious freedom we have in Christ. This lesson is most clearly illustrated by the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.
All the men of Israel feared the Philistine giant because they saw the insurmountable circumstances before them while David had faith because he knew God was bigger than any giant (2 Corinthians 5:7). In verse 26 David shouts, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” This one statement of faith causes three attempts to keep David from his destiny (keep in mind David was already anointed to be king) through fellow men of Israel:
David was accused of evil: “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him (v. 28-31).”
We see this many times in church. When believers step-up full of faith they are many times misjudged as prideful and self-seeking when truly they are full of faith and vision, believing the word of God. To be aware of this attack is crucial to ever believer’s life.
From early on in my walk with Jesus, the Lord has blessed me with a prophetic calling which was the cause of much persecution from family, church members, etc. While I focused on Jesus I knew rumors and backbiting were going on but I never stopped to think or dwell on them. When I put my focus on them I started questioning myself and whether or not I really heard from God, after all I thought, if these Christians have been around much longer than I they must certainly know what they’re talking about. This became a short stumbling block for me until I turned my focus back of Jesus.
David’s ability was questioned: “Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (v. 32-33).”
Once our faith is accepted the next thing which is questioned is our ability. What Bible school did you go to? Who did you sit under? What denomination are you from? The problem is that Saul, like David’s brother was walking by sight. He was looking at David’s schooling, experiences, etc. while David wasn’t walking in faith in his own abilities but rather he was walking in faith of God and His ability to use David and to come through for him as He has done in the past.
“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (v. 36-37).”
Saul clothed David with his armor and weapons: “So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine (v. 38-40).”
Once we pass the “ability” test and are accepted for the task, many times others will try to get us to use their gifts, weapons, or the way they have always done things. David however, had to use the tools that he knew, the ones God gave him not Saul. If David would have decided to face Goliath with Saul’s armory, the results could have been devastating but we know the rest of the story! Hallelujah!
A Closer Look at David’s Strategy:
As we take a closer look at one of David’s most profound victories recorded in the Bible we can recognize a few key steps David took to overcome this giant:
David recognized that the Lord was with him and His ability to overcome: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (v. 45).”
David expected the Lord to move of his behalf: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand (v. 46).”
David declared the word: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (v. 46).”
David glorified God & gives Him the battle: “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands (v. 47).”
When the giant came at him, he hurried to meet him: “So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine (v. 48).”
This is a crucial step that should be noted by all believers. David did not run from Goliath, an army in retreat always opens itself to attack from behind (Joyner). David did not hesitate, by confronting the giant the rest of the enemy fled. “And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled (v. 51).” James 4:7 says “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
When David overcame the rest of God’s people had faith to overcome: “And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents (v. 51-53).”
Our testimony of victory builds the faith of others to overcome in their own lives!
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelations 12:11).”
“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10).”
My Prayer:
I pray that the Lord will use this teaching to show you how to overcome trials and battles in your own life and that He would pour His wisdom into you and strengthen you with His right arm in the name of our most precious and powerful Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!
AMEN!
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