It's Complicated(S1) : WK 3 - FRI
1 Samuel 17:51-58
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)
As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
“Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”
Psalm 143:10-11
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
David proclaims the presence of the Lord of Heaven, slings a rock, the giant falls, and then the BIG miracle happens.
The people of God have been parked atop a plateau for six weeks, staring at their problem in abject paralysis and fear. The underdog shepherd boy topples the giant, unlocking Israel’s zeal. Their legs now move, and their hearts resume beating. The Zombies have come alive.
Scripture records that once David acts in God's name, a vicious battle commences from the valley floor, thirteen miles to the borders of Philistia. Then, the Israelites run back to loot the enemy's tents. For twenty-six miles, the church goes from stuck to marathon runners because an undersized outsider doesn’t understand what can and can’t be done.
Could God have a plan for His church to come unstuck? What might He do with the faith of the young, inexperienced, and naïve? Maybe God plans to use the stick and stones of my weird armor to make a difference in the Crosswalk community of faith.
But before we leave this story, consider a profoundly complicated problem God has with us. David enters this story as the long shot, the unpredictable solution to Israel’s problem. However, look carefully; notice that’s not how he leaves this passage.
In a confusing twist during the closing words of this chapter, Saul appears uncertain about who David is. He should know since David has already served the king as a musician and comforter. However, as the battle concludes, Saul invites David to his tent for clarification. The Bible notes that David arrives with Goliath’s head “still in his hand.” Wait… what?
Let’s get this straight. The underdog beheads the giant and raises the trophy high. This ignites newfound faith, motivating the Israelites to charge into battle. Presumably, David fights in the skirmishes along the thirteen miles to the border of Philistia while carrying Goliath’s heavy head. Is this a joke? Or does it highlight a complicated issue God continually faces when He allows us to participate in one of His victories?
Because of the actions of God, David will flip from obscurity to a national hero in seconds. According to 1 Samuel 18:6-7:
… when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing… And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,
“Saul has struck down his thousands,
but David his ten thousands.”
Why would David fight one-handed to carry Goliath’s head with him? Maybe it serves as a reminder of God’s miraculous presence as the troops battle the enemy. Or is it a misplaced expression of pride? Does David want to ensure everyone knows, “I’m him; I’m the one who did it. Don’t worry; your champion is here to rescue you, and it’s me?”
How many times must God pause to consider the problem? He loves to use the weak to accomplish His purposes. The problem is that as soon as He does, the ego of the weak may take over, and a new Goliath is born.
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp. (David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, but he stored the man’s armor in his own tent.)
As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
“Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. “Tell me about your father, young man,” Saul said.
And David replied, “His name is Jesse, and we live in Bethlehem.”
Psalm 143:10-11
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
David proclaims the presence of the Lord of Heaven, slings a rock, the giant falls, and then the BIG miracle happens.
The people of God have been parked atop a plateau for six weeks, staring at their problem in abject paralysis and fear. The underdog shepherd boy topples the giant, unlocking Israel’s zeal. Their legs now move, and their hearts resume beating. The Zombies have come alive.
Scripture records that once David acts in God's name, a vicious battle commences from the valley floor, thirteen miles to the borders of Philistia. Then, the Israelites run back to loot the enemy's tents. For twenty-six miles, the church goes from stuck to marathon runners because an undersized outsider doesn’t understand what can and can’t be done.
Could God have a plan for His church to come unstuck? What might He do with the faith of the young, inexperienced, and naïve? Maybe God plans to use the stick and stones of my weird armor to make a difference in the Crosswalk community of faith.
But before we leave this story, consider a profoundly complicated problem God has with us. David enters this story as the long shot, the unpredictable solution to Israel’s problem. However, look carefully; notice that’s not how he leaves this passage.
In a confusing twist during the closing words of this chapter, Saul appears uncertain about who David is. He should know since David has already served the king as a musician and comforter. However, as the battle concludes, Saul invites David to his tent for clarification. The Bible notes that David arrives with Goliath’s head “still in his hand.” Wait… what?
Let’s get this straight. The underdog beheads the giant and raises the trophy high. This ignites newfound faith, motivating the Israelites to charge into battle. Presumably, David fights in the skirmishes along the thirteen miles to the border of Philistia while carrying Goliath’s heavy head. Is this a joke? Or does it highlight a complicated issue God continually faces when He allows us to participate in one of His victories?
Because of the actions of God, David will flip from obscurity to a national hero in seconds. According to 1 Samuel 18:6-7:
… when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing… And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,
“Saul has struck down his thousands,
but David his ten thousands.”
Why would David fight one-handed to carry Goliath’s head with him? Maybe it serves as a reminder of God’s miraculous presence as the troops battle the enemy. Or is it a misplaced expression of pride? Does David want to ensure everyone knows, “I’m him; I’m the one who did it. Don’t worry; your champion is here to rescue you, and it’s me?”
How many times must God pause to consider the problem? He loves to use the weak to accomplish His purposes. The problem is that as soon as He does, the ego of the weak may take over, and a new Goliath is born.
- Have you ever won a contest or received a trophy? What was it? How did it make you feel?
- How much do you struggle with pride on a scale of 1-10? What is something that keeps you humble?
- What does the story of David and Goliath cause you to consider confessing to Jesus?
by Pastor David K. Ferguson
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