Text: 1 Samuel 17:32-49
INTRODUCTION: Previously in the early chapter and verses it was the story of Saul and Goliath.
We saw that Saul was the one who was supposed to fight Goliath. It should have been his story, but Saul missed out on great things because of fear.
Instead of conquering by faith, Saul was paralyzed by fear. And so, the task fell to David instead.
Like Saul it is easy for us to give in to fear. The enemy is bigger and stronger than us. So how can you be a David rather than a Saul? How do you conquer by faith instead of being paralyzed by fear?
We are going to look at three simple principles from our passage today. How do you conquer by faith?
1) Trust God’s power.
2) Use God’s weapons. And
3) Rest in God’s victory.
I. Trust God’s power (32-37): First of all, you conquer by faith when you trust God’s power. Just like Goliath was bigger and stronger than anyone in the Israelite army, the enemy is bigger and stronger than you. But God is bigger and stronger than the enemy. So, trust God’s power. (He who is in me is greater than devil in the world)
A. Don’t worry about your weakness (32-33)– 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And trusting God’s power means you don’t worry about your own weakness. And we see that in David’s story here. Look at 1 Samuel 17:32-33
So, David comes to Saul and volunteers to fight Goliath. Saul tells David, “You can’t say you’re only a boy and Goliath has been fighting since he was your age.”
Saul looks at David and immediately pinpoints his weaknesses. David is young, too young even to join Saul’s army. David is inexperienced. He lacks the training and combat experience that Goliath has.
But David doesn’t let that deter him. In fact, David is the one encouraging Saul in this situation: “Don’t let anyone lose heart on account of this Philistine.”You see, when you’re trusting God’s power, you don’t have to worry about your weakness. As God says in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
B. Remember God’s faithfulness in the past (34-37)– Deuteronomy 7:17-18; Psalm 105:5.
Another thing we can learn from David here is to remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Look at 1 Samuel 17:34-37.
Note: Part of trusting God’s power in the present is remembering God’s faithfulness in the past.
In case you’re facing issues/problems or challenges bigger than you right now? Trust God’s power. Don’t worry about your weakness. Remember God’s faithfulness in the past. That’s what David did. And David’s faith was so strong he even convinced Saul!
Saul told David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” Even Saul is showing a little faith here. Not enough to go fight Goliath himself, but enough to let David go and fight.
Remember, there is more on the line here than just David’s life. Whoever loses this fight, their whole people become slaves to the other nation. Saul is entrusting the fate of his entire army and the whole people of Israel to David.
The first thing we learn about conquering by faith: If you want to conquer by faith instead of being paralyzed by fear, you need to trust God’s power.
Use God’s weapons (38-50)
Do not use the weapons of this world (38-40) – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4: David couldn’t use Saul’s weapons, and in the same way the Bible tells us we do not use the weapons of this world.
We read in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4 – What are the weapons of the world? Violence, intimidation, manipulation, politicking, lies, deceit. As Christians we don’t use those weapons. We use God’s weapons: prayer and the word of God, faith, truth, mercy, love and compassion. It doesn’t make sense to the world, but it makes sense to God, and that’s all that matters.
Put on the full armor of God (41-44), Ephesians 6:10-18 – As Christians, we are to put on the full armor of God so that we will be ready for battle. It doesn’t look like much to the world, but we don’t dress for the world. We dress for success, not to impress.
And Goliath was not very impressed with David.
Look at 1 Samuel 17:41-44: How do you prepare for spiritual battle? Seven things – with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer. That’s God’s armor. This armor is not recognized by the world, but it is essential to winning our spiritual battles.
David approaches Goliath, and Goliath keeps coming closer to David. Goliath’s shield-bearer goes before him, but you know what? The Lord went before David. And that makes all the difference.
Remember the battle is the Lord’s (45-50),2 Chronicles 20:15: And that’s the third part when it comes to using God’s weapons. You need to remember who is really fighting this battle. You need to remember the battle is the Lord’s. Look at 1Samuel 17:45-47:
We read in 2 Chronicles 20:15: “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
You can apply that to any situation in your life. Do not be afraid or discouraged whatever you are facing this morning. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.So, use God’s weapons. Don’t use the weapons of the world. Put on the full armor of God. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. Rest in God’s victory (51-58)
How do you conquer by faith instead of being paralyzed by fear?
1) Trust God’s power.
2)Use God’s weapons. And then finally,
3) Rest in God’s victory. God is the one who wins the victory, and we rest in his victory for us.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (51-54), Genesis 3:15; 1 John 5:41 John 5:4 says: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
A. If you want to conquer by faith, you need to rest in God’s victory by faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
B. Be ready to testify (55-58) – Genesis 49:10; 1 John 5:11-12, Rev 12:11 And then finally, be ready to testify. When you live by faith, people are going to notice the difference, and they may even ask you questions.
Look at 1 Samuel 17:55-58 now in closing: Jesus has already won the victory for us! Now we rest in God’s victory by faith and testify to Jesus our Savior. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
CONCLUSION: You do not need to be afraid of the enemy, because Jesus has already won the victory. How do you conquer by faith instead of being paralyzed by fear? Trust God’s power.
Use And remember God’s words to you from 2 Chronicles 20:15: “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged.… For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
The Revd Olalekan Olomola is the Coordinator of Methodist Campus Fellowship in the Conference Area
He can reached on +234 815 201 3583
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