September 22, 2024 Service
1 Samuel 17 (Read the entire passage)
“And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and 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. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds 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 that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”(17:41-47)
This story of David and Goliath is far more than a children’s bible story. It’s possible we have missed a larger truth that establishes something redemptive for us. The Philistines are on one mountain and Israel on another, with a valley between them. Goliath comes down into the valley and challenges Israel. He is physically superior at somewhere between 7 and 9 feet tall, skilled in battle, a champion with impressive armor. He is seemingly undefeatable. And his challenge is in defiance against the God of Israel.
For forty days no one in Israel is willing to trust in the Lord and stand up against Goliath. Saul should be the obvious choice with his skill and armor but he is afraid. In fact it says that Israel was shattered in fear. Saul has not acted like a true king, certainly not a king who fears God more than man.
It says in our text that as David arrived to provide for his brothers that “he heard” Goliath’s threat and defiance against God. David, even at this young age, has the mindset of a champion. His first response was to have faith in the Lord, “What happens when he’s dead?” He assumes God will be with them and Goliath will fall. David has a God dominated imagination, a fierce loyalty in the LORD. He appeals to king Saul in the name of the Lord and Saul grants him permission to stand before Goliath for Israel. David is an unlikely champion with only a staff, sling and 5 stones but with the heart of one he proclaims, “You come to me with a sword and 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.”
Here’s the bottom-line of this story…
· Goliath represents man’s greatest enemy, the evil One and his armies, who are at war to tear apart the people of God and God’s Kingdom.
· David represents Jesus Christ, the Holy One, who will ultimately defeat man’s greatest enemy.
· We are the soldiers watching this scene unfold and we have a champion and true king whom God provides.
This is a story about God’s provision and redemption through the Son of God, an unlikely champion, an unlikely king. We are on the other side of Christ’s saving death and victorious conquering of death and hell. The defeat of our enemy is already won!
Reflection
1. What is God showing you about this story in a new way?
2. As you reflect on Jesus as the true champion and king who defeats our ultimate enemy, what does this move you to say to God?
3. How is God inviting you to walk within the victory already secured for you with the everyday Goliath’s?
Psalm 37:1-3
Do not fret because of evildoer’s (the Evil One and the Goliath’s in your life)
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity (ungodly nations and the armies of Satan)
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Chad Hollowell
Read 1 Samuel 17:41-47 – how have you typically interpreted this story and applied it to your life?
What are the differences in Saul and David with how they viewed the Philistines challenge?
How are Goliath and David alike, not alike?
Are we like David, like Saul, or like the soldiers? How and why?
Talk about the comparisons of Goliath as our great enemy and David as the saving Christ. Why is this important? What does this help us understand?
How do we apply this story in a new and fresh way to your lives?
Pray together