Text: 1 Samuel 17

In this portion of God’s Word will learn of the importance of trusting in the Lord each day of our lives. We do not know what tomorrow will bring forth, or even what this night holds for us. We must trust the fact that God does know and He is with us, enabling us, as individuals, to have a testimony to His glory. We see this in this account of the young man David which begins, as many things in life do, with a –

I. Conflict 1 Samuel 17:1-7 Involved –

A. The challenge by the Philistines. 17:3
B. The champion of the Philistines 17:4-7

II. Crisis 1 Samuel 17:8-10 “…give me a man…”
No man of Israel was willing to step forth against the Philistines.

III. Cowardness 1 Samuel 17:11-25

A. Fear throughout the army. 17:11
B. Feeble attempt of a show of force. 17:20,24
C. Fortune offered in desperate attempt to find a man willing to stand against the enemy. (Saul would rather pay someone than go himself).

IV. Cause 1 Samuel 17:26-30 We see here the –

A. Bewilderment of David. 17:26 Why would any man of Israel allow this heathen to speak against the Lord.
B. Belittlement by Eliab. 17:27 This is the usual reaction of a guilty conscience.
C. Bold words of David. 17:28 “…is there not a cause”?

V. Courage 1 Samuel 17:31-37

David told King Saul that God gave him courage and victory. God, who had proved Himself before, would prove Himself again in this fight against Goliath.

The Lord reminded us that He prepares each of us for the battle. Note the –

VI. Cumbersome fit of another man’s armour. 1 Samuel 17:38,39

God’s armour is custom fit to each of His servants. We cannot serve effectively trying to be someone else. We hear the saying “Filling another man’s shoes”. God never instructs us to fill another’s shoes. We are to follow the Lord’s steps!

VII. Confidence. 1 Samuel 17:40-47 Read 17:45-47

David trusted God and knew God would protect him and prevail over this fearsome enemy! We should remember that often what we know we should do and what we will actually do when in any situation may not work out the same. We must be prepared in the Lord! Are you facing the fearsome enemies – are they challenging you even this week. Be prepared by seeking the Lord and His power and protection each day. David had no idea how his day would change from simply delivering food to his brothers to delivering the victory of battle to Israel.

VIII. Conquest of the enemy 1 Samuel 17:48-51 Read 17:50,51
God honoured David’s words as recorded in 17:46a

David trusted God. Will we?
Conflicts and crisis will come. Cowardness will try to shake us to our very foundation, but we must remember “…is there not a cause”? We should be strong in and for the Lord! Take courage, put on the armour of God, and have confidence in Him. He will give you the victory!