David and Goliath | Tell Me The Story, Part 2 | Jay Gross

(1 Samuel 17:1-12) 7 The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. ² Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. ³ So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them. ⁴ Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! ⁵ He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. ⁶ He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. ⁷ The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. ⁸ Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! ⁹ If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! ¹⁰ I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” ¹¹ When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken. ¹² Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons. 

Sometimes life’s challenges can seem like insurmountable problems, overwhelming giants

There are giants of all shapes that come up against us

David learned that as a youth and discovered it is possible to slay giants that seem invincible

Before Taking on Giants Take Care of the Geckos  

• David was the smallest and the youngest in his family
• His assignment was in the sheep field not the battlefield
• If you are going to trust God in handling the giants in your life, you have to first be faithful in the little things

Don’t Be Defeated by Discouragers

• The only people that don’t get criticized are in the cemetery
• Four attempts to discourage David’s faith:
  • Fear 
  • Ridicule 
  • Intimidation 
  • Hostility 

Remember Past Victories for Future Strength   

• What God has done in the past, He will do again
• The battle is not mine, nor my enemy’s – but the Lord’s

Use What You’ve Got to Serve the Lord   

• Giants of deception will tell you that you have to be or act like someone else
• Use your own gifts and abilities to God’s glory
• Don’t rely on your resources, but on God’s

Remember That Little is Much When God Is In It   

• Slings and stones vs swords and spears
• Shepherd’s son vs seasoned soldier
• No match – Goliath outclassed!