It's Complicated(S1) : WK 3 - THU
1 Samuel 17:41-50
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me.
The call of the giant roars, “You come at me with a stick? Keep coming. I will tear you in half and throw you back where you came from.” But the boy’s warbling voice responds, “No, I don’t come with a stick. I come with the Creator of the Universe, the Lion of Judah, the One who gives you breath and upon whom your life depends. I’m crossing this creek with Him.”
We have many questions as David approaches the giant. Does he shine with the naïve confidence sometimes observed in youth, sensing no danger? Or might we notice a slight tremor as faith and fear intertwine with each heartbeat? Why does he select five stones? Is it because he knows Goliath has four enormous brothers and is uncertain how many must fall before the day ends?
In any case, he stands at the edge of the creek, at the crossroads of paralysis and action, bathed in the secret sauce of Christianity: “I come in the name of the LORD of Heaven.” Whatever your giant, no matter how wide the valley between you and your future, the way forward is to walk in step with Jesus.
A deep belly laugh erupts from the massive man as his head tilts back just enough to dislodge his helmet from its proper fit. One stone zings through the air, and time slows for everyone in sight. The thud of the stone against Goliath’s forehead captures everyone’s attention. The arrogant laughter of the Philistine Army falls silent as the giant wobbles in a confusing sight before crashing heavily onto his face on the ground.
For a brief moment, no one knows what to do. Everything is still except for a single pair of sandaled feet. David crosses the creek bed, lifts Goliath’s massive sword, and decapitates the enemy. Now, there is no doubt that the problem is dead.
More than just a romantic tale, this story serves as a window into God’s plan for our lives. We live in frightening times and face countless giants. If we are honest, there’s no way to confidently find our way through—at least not one we naturally perceive. Yet, the God of David whispers through the ages, "Walk with me... go in my direction, and I will see you through.”
Your giants may include loneliness, financial loss, addiction, troubled relationships, or even death itself. Perhaps your giant lurks just around the corner, unseen for now. Still, Jesus invites you to proclaim throughout the landscape of your life, “I come in the name of the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the LORD of Heaven. And He holds me in the palm of His hand.”
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
Psalm 143:9
Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me.
The call of the giant roars, “You come at me with a stick? Keep coming. I will tear you in half and throw you back where you came from.” But the boy’s warbling voice responds, “No, I don’t come with a stick. I come with the Creator of the Universe, the Lion of Judah, the One who gives you breath and upon whom your life depends. I’m crossing this creek with Him.”
We have many questions as David approaches the giant. Does he shine with the naïve confidence sometimes observed in youth, sensing no danger? Or might we notice a slight tremor as faith and fear intertwine with each heartbeat? Why does he select five stones? Is it because he knows Goliath has four enormous brothers and is uncertain how many must fall before the day ends?
In any case, he stands at the edge of the creek, at the crossroads of paralysis and action, bathed in the secret sauce of Christianity: “I come in the name of the LORD of Heaven.” Whatever your giant, no matter how wide the valley between you and your future, the way forward is to walk in step with Jesus.
A deep belly laugh erupts from the massive man as his head tilts back just enough to dislodge his helmet from its proper fit. One stone zings through the air, and time slows for everyone in sight. The thud of the stone against Goliath’s forehead captures everyone’s attention. The arrogant laughter of the Philistine Army falls silent as the giant wobbles in a confusing sight before crashing heavily onto his face on the ground.
For a brief moment, no one knows what to do. Everything is still except for a single pair of sandaled feet. David crosses the creek bed, lifts Goliath’s massive sword, and decapitates the enemy. Now, there is no doubt that the problem is dead.
More than just a romantic tale, this story serves as a window into God’s plan for our lives. We live in frightening times and face countless giants. If we are honest, there’s no way to confidently find our way through—at least not one we naturally perceive. Yet, the God of David whispers through the ages, "Walk with me... go in my direction, and I will see you through.”
Your giants may include loneliness, financial loss, addiction, troubled relationships, or even death itself. Perhaps your giant lurks just around the corner, unseen for now. Still, Jesus invites you to proclaim throughout the landscape of your life, “I come in the name of the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the LORD of Heaven. And He holds me in the palm of His hand.”
- Think of a moment during an activity when you were smaller or less capable than those around you. How did that affect you?
- When a problem arises during your day, how easy is it for you to talk to Jesus about it right then? Why do you think that is?
- What is the most challenging thing you are facing right now? How long has this been a part of your story? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?
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