Giant Slayer – BrandonBragg.org

August 31, 2019

You don’t have to be Bobby Fischer to enjoy playing chess. However, you should know the rules of the game and have a strategy if you want to win. In this message, I would like to unpack seven important life lessons I’ve learned through studying the life of David, specifically the choices he made through the events leading up to, and during his interaction with the notorious giant, Goliath. I find it amazing how God catapulted David from obscurity to celebrity in a single day. Let’s explore how and why. I dedicate this message to Dr. Mark Rutland who inspires me to have a heart like David.

1. David trusted God, loved others and respected authority.
2. David had the right perspective.
3. David let God prepare him.
4. David showed up.
5. David spoke to the mountain.
6. David followed through.
7. David finished the job.

1. David trusted God, loved others and respected authority.
Sometimes, it is easy confuse love and trust as being synonymous. However, it is possible to love someone without trusting them. Think about the relationship between Jesus and his Roman executioners. He loved and forgave them, but he did not trust them, and for good reason. In fact, the Bible specifically instructs us not to put our trust in people (Psalm 146:3), but to love them unconditionally (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

While God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35), we are called to honor and respect one another in love. But, how do you honor and respect someone you don’t trust? I love how Pastor Jentezen Franklin said, “If you can’t respect the person, respect the position” because all authority comes from God (Romans 13:1).

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

During a time in history when it was commonplace for people to fashion idols out of inanimate objects and worship them, David was wise in revering the God of Israel as the one true Living God. For this reason, David embodies a microcosm of the nation of Israel. Although smaller and seemingly less equipped than his neighboring brothers, David, like Israel, gained outstanding favor because he stood out before the Lord. He spent time meditating on the things of God. He didn’t let the harsh criticism of his brothers compromise his character. In fact, when David was left behind to tend sheep while his brothers went to defend the nation against the Philistines, he wholeheartedly obeyed his father’s instructions by running, not walking, to bring them food. Even as a meager shepherd boy, David showed great promise as a future leader by delegating a trusted hand to look after his flock while he was away. If that weren’t enough, the first thing David did when he arrived at the Israeli military camp was to show his brothers respect by saluting them. He always made himself available to God and to the spiritual authority figures God placed in his life.

Your Move: Humility and respect for authority earns favor.

2. David had the right perspective.
Solving a difficult problem often requires us to look at it from a different perspective. The Israelites had been engaged in a cold war with the Philistines for 40 days, wherein each morning a giant (possibly a descendant of the Nephilim) insulted the men of Israel in valley of Elah, which was in the middle of Israeli territory, part of Judah. The Philistines were being deliberately disrespectful to God and the men of Israel. And the men of Israel, with arms crossed, allowed this spectacle to continue for a month and a half. However, when David showed up, he offered a fresh perspective on the issue when he said:

“What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).

The first thing David said after hearing the giant speak was “What is the reward for killing him?” I love how David focused on the long-term outcome rather than the temporary problem. David understood that rewards follow faith and diligence.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

As it turns out, the reward was epic. The champion would receive great riches, the hand of the King’s daughter in marriage, and a new home for his parents, paid in full. David’s oldest brother mistook David’s confidence for arrogance and was dismissive, but David had the wisdom to discern the difference. He even went on to author the book of Psalms, where he writes,

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad” (Psalm 34:1).

David’s confidence in the Lord and resistance to the enemy eventually caught the ear of the king.

Your Move: Having the right perspective will put you in position.

3. David let God prepare him (and he planned ahead).
David couldn’t have known that as a shepherd boy, God was preparing him to become a king. Instead of running away when a lion or bear snatched one of his fold, David went out after them, saving the lost one and slaying the beast. Here again, David acts as a microcosm, but this time, it is of the love of Jesus. He left his position, sacrificed himself to save the lost, and defeated the enemy.

He listened to the advice of others but followed the Lord’s instructions. This requires discipline in the gift of discernment. But where does discernment come from and how can it be put into practice? Jesus uses this illustration to explain:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10: 1-5).

King Saul offered David his own royal armor to fight Goliath. However, David turned them down saying, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” David relied on the training he experienced with the Lord instead of pretending to be someone else. He relied on his uniquely qualifying gifts from the Lord instead of becoming distracted by gifts from a mortal king. He was true to his convictions by being honest with King Saul instead of accepting the gifts only to avoid potential hurt feelings and conflict.

It would have been lazy and ineffective for David to blindly accept an arsenal of weapons he didn’t know how to use. Instead he was diligent in planning ahead by selecting 5 specific stones from the brook. I imagine David took this quiet time to be alone with the Lord. I can see him carefully selecting each stone and then asking God “is it this one?” And then listening.

God wants us to succeed in life (Psalm 35:27). So, the next time you’re faced with a battle, ask yourself these questions: How has God been preparing me for this? What would Jesus do? And how do my gifts uniquely qualify me to help solve the problem? God always shows up when we ask him to help. Overcoming your challenge feels great but the greatest rewards come from honoring Him through it.

Your Move: Preparation is the enemy of fear, so let God prepare you so that you’re ready to take the test and graduate to the next level.

4. David showed up.
I’ve heard it said that showing up is half the battle. I don’t know if that is true because for this lesson, it is only one step out of seven, but for all intents and purposes, we’ve made it halfway through, so I suppose the old saying still holds some weight. I do know that if I intend on passing an exam, I have to show up. While watching the local news one night, a headline caught my attention that read “Elementary School Student Suspect in Bomb Threat.” I learned that a nine-year-old boy forgot that he had a big English exam scheduled for two o’clock that day. Out of desperation, he contrived what he thought was a brilliant idea to buy himself some time. He took the biggest permanent marker he could find, walked into the boy’s restroom, and wrote on the wall “BONE THRAT. 2PM.” My wife and I started laughing so hard I fell off the couch. The boy got into a lot of trouble but was quickly reinstated after the investigation concluded that he was no more likely to pose a serious threat to the school than spelling it correctly. In the end, he had to take summer school classes for English.

God has amazing ways of preparing us for the future and He promises to finish what He started. I’m reminded of a verse which I’ve learned can be either comforting and exciting or debilitating and dreadful.

“He who began a good work in you will see it unto completion” (Philippians 1:6).

If you invite the Spirit of Jesus to reside in you and surrender to His will, His dreams and your dreams will coincide in a beautiful symphony and He will orchestrate your time and circumstances for His glory and your benefit. You become His child and an heir to His eternal Kingdom, where you will rule and reign with Him. He will command His angels to guard you in all your ways. He will give you His power, anointing, favor, and wisdom throughout your life’s journey. He loves you so much that He will not let you fail. He promises to finish what He started.

I’ve learned that a life partnered with Jesus can be easy or difficult, depending on my attendance record and participation level. One of my favorite comedy movies is Dennis the Menace (1993). In one scene, Dennis’ mother informs him that due to her work schedule, he would be spending the day at Margaret’s house. Even though his best friend, Joey, would also be there, Dennis refused to participate. Upon arrival, Dennis “played dead” and his mother had to drag him like a wet noodle from the car to the front door.

I have been guilty of acting like a wet noodle when I don’t get my way. There are times when my heavenly Father will drag me from a place of comfort and familiarity into my destiny. But, if I play dead, I miss out on all the best parts. He accomplishes His will, but I forfeit my blessing.

At most dinner parties, double-dipping is considered faux pas. However, at our Lord’s table, double-dipping is not only encouraged, it’s expected! Here’s what I mean. When I choose to be an active participant in what God has instructed me to do, blessings will always follow. However, when I choose to have a good attitude about it, I receive a double blessing.

The story of Jonah is a great example. Jonah had a bad attitude about preaching in Nineveh, so he didn’t show up. So, God gave him time to think about the alternative in the belly of a whale on the way to Nineveh. I imagine Jonah probably looked a lot like a wet noodle when he was regurgitated onto the shore. God had to drag Jonah to Nineveh where he begrudgingly preached his sermon. Everyone, including the king repented of wickedness and the city of 120,000 people were saved from God’s wrath. Stewing in anger, Jonah left the city hoping God would destroy it anyway. God still gave Jonah another opportunity to have compassion for the people of Nineveh, but Jonah told God that he would rather die. Jonah’s story ends with him pouting right outside of the gates to a city that experienced one of the largest spiritual revivals recorded in the Bible. And yet, Jonah received no blessing. In fact, that’s the last time we ever hear of Jonah. What an amazingly sad legacy.

Your Move: The biggest blessings from the Lord always involve other people and our positive, willing attitude towards serving them.

Your Move: Releasing internal conflict allows us to show up and face external conflict with courageous joy.

Your Move: Learning a lesson is only difficult if I’m unwilling to participate. A good attitude will often determine if extra credit awarded.

5. David spoke to the mountain (instead of about it).
David understood the power of the spoken word and exercised his spiritual authority before arming himself with sling and stone. He spoke the future into existence by prophesying, out loud, directly to the mountainous giant that stood before him. Most importantly, he acknowledged the source of his power through it all when he said:

“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. 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. 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” (1 Samuel 17:45).

Try saying that out loud. It feels good because the power of God is behind it. As David spoke those words aloud, he gained the attention of heaven. The God of Angel Armies was equipping him with supernatural ability to defeat the giant while surrounding him with an impenetrable shield because of his faith. David was so successful because he modeled his life after God. God never does anything without speaking it first. It’s true! I’m learning that God has given us His Word, to be spoken aloud, as the most powerful force we possess through His Spirit. Just look at scripture.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Did you catch that? The Word was God, which means, the Word is God (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is the Word of God personified. When His Spirit resides in us, we carry with us the power that formed the heavens and the earth through the spoken Word. Jesus encourages us as believers to practice this powerful gift in spiritually productive ways.

“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:22-24).

Here’s the catch. Sometimes miracles take time, not because God is slow to act, but because He wants the most people to benefit from your blessing. I believe David experienced his miracle of slaying Goliath immediately because so many people were involved. Two vast armies would bear witness to the awesome hand of God, increasing the faith and courage of all who believed. This same theme in context to miracles is seen throughout scripture. God wants to be seen and experienced by as many people as possible.

I enjoy comparing Biblical translations to find secret nuggets of wisdom. In Luke 13:32 of the Orthodox Jewish Bible, Jesus said he had goals during his ministry here on earth. Jesus had #GOALS. We should too. The miracles Jesus performed always involved other people. He wants us to think about miracles the way He thinks about miracles.

Your Move: When you prioritize others, God prioritizes you.

6. David followed through.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting the proud father of two young men who both received full college scholarships for baseball. I love hearing people’s stories, especially when they are praiseworthy, because I get to practice using the gift of exhortation. The great thing about exhortation, like all of the Gifts of The Spirit, is that the more you give the more you get. The father of the two young men said he trained them both since they were children to be pitchers. That is arguably the most esteemed position on a team so I asked him how he taught them to be so successful. He said “The key to striking anyone out is in the follow-through.” He went on to explain that some of the greatest pitchers of all time continue to follow-through the motion of a pitch as they run towards home plate. This is a dangerous technique because of the increased likelihood of getting hit in the face. However, for those daring enough to risk injury, the result is the same almost every time. The batter becomes disoriented and swings early or late, depending on the type of pitch thrown.

Although David had no visible armor to protect his body, he was stacked with the Armor of God. David was more prepared for battle than all the armies of Israel. Even before the book of Ephesians was written, David understood the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance in preparing for it.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13-17).

David did everything he knew he could do and then he let God handle the rest. He was prayed up. He showed up. And he followed through. It is important to note that God will rarely, if ever, do for you what you can do for yourself. Instead, He responds to our weakness because it proves His power and love. He will supernaturally intervene in your life too! The difficult part for most people is being willing to ask for help – and then being willing to receive it.

Your Move: If you want to be sure to win, you have to risk going all in.

7. David finished the job.
Never celebrate too early. My wife and I like watching YouTube mash-ups, and “celebration fails” are some of the most entertaining. There must be thousands of examples of people celebrating a victory too early, only to be blind-sighted by an opponent at the last second. David knew who he was up against, which is why he visualized and spoke the outcome prior to engaging in battle. He remained focused on completing the assignment. I imagine Goliath caused the ground to shake when we fell to the earth, but David didn’t celebrate. Immediately, he took the sword of Goliath and cut the giant’s head off. The Philistines were so disoriented from the blood bath that they surrendered to the Israelites. That is following through and finishing the job.

Too often, people quit trying or celebrate too early right at the cusp of greatness. Finish the assignment and then prove yourself trustworthy to God, like David, by giving Him all of the glory.

To recap, David went from obscurity to renown in a single day because he was consistent, disciplined, and trustworthy in his walk before the Lord. Now you have a proven strategy to win every battle in life if you follow these seven life lessons from a real-life giant slayer.