I Samuel 17: Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.

I Samuel 17: He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

I Samuel 17: David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the L ORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

I Samuel 17: This day the L ORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

I Samuel 17: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the L ORD saves; for the battle is the L ORD ’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

I Samuel 17: As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

I Samuel 17: Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

I Samuel 17: So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. I Samuel 17:40-51

Facing Your Giants

1. THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU. I Samuel 17:10 Again the Philistine said, “ I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together. ”

WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Your Goliath doesn ’ t carry a sword and shield. He brandishes blades of: Unemployment Abandonment Sexual Abuse Depression

He is not on the hills of Elah. He parades through your office, your bedroom, your classroom. He brings bills you can ’ t pay, grades you can ’ t make, people you can ’ t please, alcohol & vices you can ’ t resist, pornography you can ’ t refuse, a career you can ’ t escape, a past you can ’ t shake, and a future you can ’ t face.

I Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. HOW LONG HAS HE STALKED YOU?

2. DO YOU SEE GOD? You know Goliath! David saw and heard more.

I Samuel 17:26 Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “ What will 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 taunt the armies of the living God? ” I Samuel 17:37 And David said, “ The L ORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. ” And Saul said to David, “ Go, and may the L ORD be with you. ”

No one else discusses God. David discusses no one else but God.

More than “David verses Goliath” this is “God-focus verses giant-focus” The people have majored in Goliath. David majors in God.

I Samuel 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, “ You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the L ORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. DAVID’S BATTLE CRY:

3. THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S. I Samuel 17:48 Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

David ’ s brothers cover their eyes. Saul sighs as David races to a certain death. Goliath throws back his head in laughter. David spots the target and seizes the moment......and gets a head!

How long has it been since you’ve run toward your giant?

Fell as often as he stood. Stumbled as often as he conquered. Stared down Goliath, yet ogled at Bathsheba. Defied God mockers in the valley - joined them in the wilderness. Could lead armies - couldn ’ t manage a family. WHAT DID GOD SEE IN DAVID?

Raging David - Weeping David Blood thirsty - God-hungry Acts 13:22 “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’

“ Straight A ” souls find David ’ s story disappointing. The rest of us find it reassuring.

4. FOCUS ON GOD NOT GIANTS.

David made only two observations about Goliath: 1. One to Soldiers (v26) 2. One to Saul (v36)

Doesn ’ t give a lot of thought to Goliath......no questions. Gives a lot of thought to God......nine references to the Lord!

God-thoughts outnumber Goliath-thoughts 9-2 How does that ratio compare to yours?

The whole matter can be summed up with the following couplet: Focus on giants - you stumble Focus on God – your giants stumble

God who made a miracle out of David stands ready to do great things with you!