1 Samuel 17 – PERSPECTIVE
Perspective or how we look at things is important. If we have the right perspective about something we will do well. If we have the wrong perspective, we are in trouble.
1 Kings 17 tells the well-known story of David and Goliath. In this particular story we see that the rest of the Israelites and David looked at the problem Goliath caused with different perspectives. In fact in this passage I see three different factors that affected the perspective of those involved.
BACKGROUND:
Vss. 1-10 – Goliath was a giant threatening the well being of Israel
Let me remind you that we all face “giants” in our lives.
Sometimes our “giants” are influential people who oppose us such as family members, bosses, teachers or fellow workers.
Sometimes our “giants” are habitual sins that we have trouble standing up to.
Sometimes our “giants” are the opinions of others. We don’t want to go against popular opinion.
Sometimes our “giants” are difficult circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us.
Sometimes our “giants” are illnesses in ourselves or in those we love.
Sometimes our “giants” are huge financial problems.
Just as the giant, Goliath, was real, your giants will be real too and will pose real threats to your well being.
THE FEAR FACTOR
Vs. 11 – Saul and the rest of the Israeli army were terrified. They were filled with fear. Nobody wanted to face this giant. And that’s part of our problem with our giants as well. We live in fear of these giants. We allow them to intimidate us, and even run from them instead of facing them. In fact, according to verse 24, running is exactly what Israel did when Goliath came out to challenge them.
Fear is one of the most paralyzing forces known to men.
People are often gripped with fear that renders them totally ineffective.
THE FOCUS FACTOR
Vss. 12-22 – Our hero, David, now enters the story. He has been at home looking at his father’s sheep. He is now sent to the battlefield to bring provisions to his brother and to get a report on the war. As David arrives the battle for the day was about to start.
Vss. 23-24 – David witnessed Goliath’s daily taunt that had now been going on for weeks. He also witnessed the fear on the part of the Israelites.
Vs. 25 – Evidently the king had made offers of reward for anyone who would defeat the giant.
Saul’s focus, and the focus of the Israeli army was not on defeating the giant. Their focus was on self-preservation. Saul and the rest of the army would not face the giant personally because they were afraid of losing their own lives. They wanted to preserve their own lives.
Vs. 26 – David’s focus was different.
David didn’t focus on self-preservation.
David focused on the glory of God.
David was asking, “Who is this unbeliever, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” What right did this guy have to intimidate God’s people?
David’s focus included the thought that God’s armies were far more powerful than Goliath.
David saw the issue as God’s issue. God’s glory suffers when unsaved people are allowed to have the upper hand.
Christian, what right does any giant have to rule your life?
When you give in to the giants in your life, you are not allowing God to have the glory.
When you stand up the giants, you are giving the God glory. 1 John 4:4
Now, here’s a word of warning. When you start to focus on the real issue in facing giants, the glory of God, there will be people who will oppose you, or think you are nuts.
Vss. 28-29 – David’s brother accused him of meddling.
Vss. 31-33 – Saul told David that he was incapable.
Because Saul and the Israeli army were focused on self-preservation any suggestion of a victory over the giant seemed to be folly. They saw this as impossible.
One of the great reasons we fail to see more victories over giants is because we deem things to impossible.
We forget the Scriptures. Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27
THE FAITH FACTOR
Because David focused on the issue of God’s glory being at stake, he had the faith that God would give him the victory.
Vss. 34 -37 – David remembered past victories that the Lord had given him. He trusted by faith that God would continue to deliver by giving victory over Goliath. Goliath had no right to intimidate Israel. He could and would be stopped!
Vss. 38-39 – Saul meant well. He gave David his armor for protection, but it was too big and too bulky for David. Sometimes people try to help in our fight with our giants, but their help relies on human wisdom and not on God.
Vss. 40-44 – David took with him what he knew how to use.
He took his sling, and probably his shepherd’s staff.
Goliath was unimpressed and even insulted, and gave David a good cursing out.
Vss. 44-48 – David confronted Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.
David was confident that God would get the glory – Vs. 46.
David was also confident that the Israeli army would also discover that the Lord “saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s…”
Vss. 48-54 – David won the battle using what seemed to be an insufficient weapon, a slingshot. But David won the battle because His confidence was in the Lord!