Conquering Your Goliath (Lesson 2)

Introduction: This week’s lesson is a second part from last week’s lesson focusing on the obstacles we must overcome in our walk with God and the steps we must take in order to conquer our Goliath and step into the destiny God has planned for each of us.

Handout:  Conquering Your Goliath

 Last week we studied the book of 1 Samuel chapter 17, a time in the life of David before he became the king of Israel.  We learned how he trusted God and the steps he took in order to conquer Goliath, a giant war champion of the Philistines, who were enemies of, and were at war with Israel.  During this battle, Goliath was coming out and openly defying the armies of God.  We read where David through faith in God stood against this giant when everyone else was afraid to.  We found that this event in David’s life was a turning point.  God was constantly with David and using this event to help train David and also to place him in his destiny as King.

 Like David, we all must face obstacles in our life.  Some are smaller than others but most of us will have at least one giant to overcome.  I call this a Goliath.  Most likely we all will have a Goliath to face.  It will be different for everyone.  However, when we follow the Holy Spirit and obey God’s voice, no matter how the Goliath may manifest itself in each of our lives, we like David can live in victory and conquer through Christ our victor.  We can look back and see how it was a hard thing for us but that it was something God used for good and we can be thankful for it by God’s grace.

Last week, we put our focus on three of the things we must do as children of God to conquer and overcome obstacles that come in our lives.  This week we will study two more things that we must add to that list.  First, let us review the three from last week’s lesson.  They are as follows. 

In order to conquer your Goliath you must like David:
           

  1. Be Obedient to God.
  2. Remain Positive.
  3. Trust and Stay Confident in God.

Let us move on and find out what other steps we must take in order to conquer our Goliath.
4. Be Courageous
In order to conquer your Goliath, you exercise courage.
41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
 42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
 43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
 44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
David went up in front of this giant, with no armor.  He had only his shepherd staff, his sling, and the five smooth stones in his bag.  Goliath, who was 9 feet tall, towered over him.  The Philistine champion saw young David and was insulted.  He was very angry and said, am I a dog that you come to fight me with a stick?  Then He told David, come here and I will give your flesh to the birds and animals of the field.
Now if there was ever a good time to be scared with knees knocking, and teeth chattering, this would have been the perfect time.  I type that somewhat jokingly but seriously too.  This Goliath was huge!  I’m sure he looked as if he could raise his foot and squash David like an insect.  However David, because of his confidence and trust in the Lord, was able to stand his ground!  He was able to do this because he understood that the battle was not his but the Lord’s.  He knew that Goliath was the war champion of the Philistines but more importantly, David knew that Lord Most High was the Champion of all.  Hallelujah!  He had courage because of his faith and trust in God.  And we can do the same.  Do not just tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big God is!
The Lord is a warrior (Exodus 15:3).  His mighty arm will swing on behalf of those who are obedient.  He is our strength.  He is the ultimate strength. Our Father is the epitome of power.  All we have to do is trust and obey Him with courage.   As children of the Most High, we must learn to forego our feelings and follow as the Holy Spirit leads.   This comes with studying God’s word, prayer and relationship with the Father.  Our Goliath just like David’s Goliath may be a giant in comparison to us and our strength, but in comparison to our God, like all things is but nothing.  David did not focus on the size of his Goliath, but instead on the size and strength of God.  We have an all powerful Father.  Praise Him!  David did not whine about how big and strong Goliath was, he instead showed confidence in Almighty God!  We must do the same.
 45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
 46This 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 carcases 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.
 47And 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.
 48And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Sometimes scary obstacles get in our way, and even though we are afraid, we must be brave.   Having courage doesn’t mean that you don’t feel fear; it means that you continue your course in spite of the fear.  In other words, you do it afraid.  Notice when everyone else was running away from Goliath, David ran toward him!  That is so profound!
We may feel afraid at the site of a Goliath in life.  However, when we trust God, we learn that we really do not have to fear.  Satan brings that feeling to us when we are obeying God’s voice to try to hinder our destiny because he knows that obedience is where victory lies and that we will begin see right through his trickery.  He knows that with God we can be unstoppable and help bring others to know Christ.  So it is vital that we not focus on that feeling of fear no matter how strong it may be when we know that God would have us move forward, instead focusing on faith in our Father who loves us and will deliver us.  We can do that through prayer.  Fear is an obstacle in itself that can be overcome through faith and trust in the Lord.  Let me add that it is important that we know God’s voice and through prayer learn when He is leading us to move.  He said that His children will hear and follow His voice. 
2 Timothy 1:7 “For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
 Like David, when God tells us to move, we must face our fear head on, knowing the outcome will be victory, even if we can’t see the possibility with natural eyes.  We know that with God ALL things are possible, because God’s word tells us that!
Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Mark 10:27 “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 14:36 “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

5.  Wait Patiently Upon The LORD.
In order to conquer your Goliath, you must wait patiently upon the LORD.
 49And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
 50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
 51Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
 52And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
 53And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
 54And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
David waited patiently on the LORD and made his move when and only when God commanded.  David still did not declare that he was the chosen King, but he continued to do service for Israel and he lead them in a battle with victory as the end result. 
His actions showed Trust in God, Wisdom, Confidence, Courage, and Character.  He remained true to God and in doing so, he remained true to himself.  He was willing to do what needed to be done instead of expecting someone else to do it.  David showed the characteristics of a true leader.  In order to be a good leader or ruler, one must first learn to be a good follower and servant.  That is what David was.  God was training him to come into his destiny.  David did not puff up inside himself knowing he was chosen by God and try to hurry things along.  There were several years (about 13)  that passed by from the time Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen man, until the time when he actually became King.  He had many obstacles to overcome.  Satan had people trying to kill David, we find later that even Saul whom David loved, tried to kill him several times.  However David stayed faithful to the Lord.  He trusted and obeyed the Holy Spirit.  He was wise and waited on God’s timing. 
We know that when Samuel anointed David by God’s prompting, the Spirit of God came upon David and was with him.  That is why he was victorious.  It was through the Holy Spirit, and through the Holy Spirit we can be victorious as well.
We that have believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ have God’s Spirit dwelling within us, leading and guiding us just as David did.  We can trust God to take us where he has planned for us to be.  We can do the things God has planned for our lives no matter what they are like David through the Holy Spirit.  God is our strength.  We must keep our faith in God alone.  God will honor those that wait upon him.
Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not be faint.”
Let us read on and find out some of what happened at this time in David’s life. 
 55And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.  56And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.  57And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.  58And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

Because of this victory, David was then greater known among the people.  Even Saul took greater notice of David.  God was moving David into his destiny to be the King of Israel.  We find in the next chapter that Saul had David to stay with him instead of going back to his father, Jesse’s house.  

1 Samuel 18

 1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.  3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.  5And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

God was working behind the scenes, moving David right up into the King’s palace where he belonged.  Moving David into his destiny just as he will move you and I into our destinies when we follow him.  Praise HIM!!!

Your destiny may not be as David’s to be a King or well known in the world.  Perhaps your destiny is to be a prayer warrior, or to be a good parent.  Whatever your destiny is, it is what is best for you.  God places each of us in a place where He can work through us.  Each and every part of the kingdom of God is important.  Don’t think that your job is insignificant because it isn’t of high esteem among people. 

Do what God would have you do no matter how small or unimportant it may seem.  Do your best unto the Lord and He will honor it.  If God has you to do something, no matter what it is, it is important and for a reason and for His good purpose.  We all work together, each having a specific task to do while we are here.  Only when we obey God, will we be able to live in true freedom, peace and in victory.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24.  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Like David, to conquer your Goliath, you must keep your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  There is no place, no obstacle in life in which He cannot deliver you.  He can do ALL THINGS!  Trust in His love.  That perfect love that He has for us.  Perfect love casts out all fear. 

1 John 4:18-20 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19. We love Him, because He first loved us.

20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (I put verse 20 in for good reminder for us all.)

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Yes we can trust with faith in our Father and His love.  We are secure in His hands at all times and at all times He is in control even when we can’t see it or understand it.  He will never let his children down.  He has NEVER failed and He NEVER will.
Even if you are going through a time when it seems you are all alone, remember God will never leave you and He has a purpose and a plan and He wants you to just keep trusting Him by faith.  He is there and he is watching you and working behind the scenes on your behalf.  You are never alone.  He will bring you to victory.  With God you can Conquer Your Goliath!

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

 

Dear Righteous, Lovely, Heavenly Father…

We thank You yet again for who You are and we love You because You first loved us.  We understand that You love us because You are good.  We rest assured in Your promises to never leave or forsake us.  We thank You for yet another week gone by and another day to sing Your praises.  We thank You for Your word and that we can read and learn of You.  We thank You that You have given us the privilege to come to Your throne in prayer anytime.  Thank You for loving us that much and that You know and understand us far better than we could even understand or know ourselves.  Thank You for being our Creator and our Father.  We thank You for helping us overcome the obstacles that come into our lives and we ask You to give us strength and wisdom to over come the ones that are still ahead.  We ask Y for courage and trust in You to overcome the giants in our way.  Thank You for comforting and protecting us and our loved ones yet another week and we ask you to keep us in your comfort and protection.  Thank You Oh Righteous Father for all the many blessings in our lives.  Teach us and help us to love others in the name of Christ and to bless others as You have blessed us according to Your will.  We will forever give You the praise, honor and glory that are so rightly due to Your name.  Thank You Father, for hearing and answering our prayer.  In Jesus lovely name we pray, Amen.