- Every victory requires a leap of faith.
- 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened
on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. Saul was trying to help David by dressing him in his earthly, royal armor, thinking that would be the best way to prepare him for battle. But David
was not at peace with Saul’s plan, instead he went without armor and took only 5-stones in a pouch and a sling to approach Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
- 1. Know the God we serve
- What cheap substitutes are you prone to follow?
- 41 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 little more than a boy, glowing with health and
handsome, and he despised him. 43 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 and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:41-44)
- 2. Notice the enemy’s strategy
- The enemy seeks to isolate.
- The energy seeks to humiliate.
- The enemy seeks to intimidate.
- What do you need to do to better recognize the enemy’s strategy?
- 45 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 Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword
or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he
will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-48)
- How did God prepare David?
-Obscurity
-Monotony
-Reality
- 3. Be clear about the real victory
- We don’t define victory, God does!
- Victory is always defined by God’s presence.
- 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 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.50 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 sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. (1 Samuel 17:48-51)
- David’s leap of faith was that he believed that with God he could defeat Goliath.
- What are you holding on to that prevents you from experiencing a life-changing victory in Him?
Group Discussion Guide
Starter Question:
1) What is one possession that you value the most? What might cause you to let go of it?
Read 1 Samuel 17:38-40
2) What is Saul’s strategy to help David?
3) How is David’s strategy different?
4) What cheap substitutes are you prone to follow?
Read 1 Samuel 17:41-45
5) Goliath seeks to isolate, humiliate and intimate us. Which part of his strategy is most prevalent in your life?
Read 1 Samuel 17:46-51
6) According to this story, what defines victory?
7) How does this compare to your normal understanding of victory?
8) What are you holding onto that prevents you from experiencing life-changing victory in Christ?
