Facing Down The Giant

Read I Samuel 17:38-54 (NRSV) 

David and Goliath

Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail.  David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” So David removed them.  Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. 

Bernini's David Facing Goliath

The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.  When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.  The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.”  But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and 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.  This very 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 Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,  and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and he will give you into our hand.” 

When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand.  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine; he grasped his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him; then he cut off his head with it.

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.  The troops of Israel and Judah rose up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.  The Israelites came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp.  David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent. 


Questions for personal reflection from Jerry Tankersley 
1.  Have you ever made a list of your fears? 
Someone said that 99% of what we fear never happens. 
But make a list of the top five things you fear.

2.  What if you could do anything you wanted to do if you were not afraid of failing. What would that be?
 
3.  We all have giants that trouble us.  Name your giants.
 
4.  Consider the David and Goliath story.  How was David able to face down Goliath?  What was there in his life experience that gave him confidence?  How did Israel’s story inspire him to act?
What role did the power of the Holy Spirit play in his life?
 
5.  Are you concerned about Laguna Presbyterian Church’s future?

6.  We have a seven year loan due to our building restoration with only a year and a half of cash reserves.  How can you make a difference? Consider whether you are a David, a champion to rally for the cause of Christ in Laguna Beach.


Prayer
Let the Church Rise by Israel Houghton/Jonathan Stockstill
We are alive, filled with your glorious life out of the dark into your marv’lous light.  We are waiting with expectation; Spirit raise us up with you! Let the church rise from the ashes; let the church fall to her knees; Let us be light in the darkness; let the church rise, let the church rise.