May 22, 2010

"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....." I Samuel 17:8

I have been sharing some "giant-sized" lessons we can take from the story of David and Goliath.

Yesterday I talked about why and when we should fight giants. Perhaps you are facing some sort of giant in your life today.

Today I want to talk about an attitude that brought Goliath down. You could call it overconfidence or you could call it arrogance and you would be right either way.

Of course, Goliath had good reason to be overconfident, he was nine feet tall and had never lost in battle. He was tall and he was strong and he was fierce and he was experienced and he had protected all his vital spots with heavy armor. Since no one in their right mind dared to challenge him, it seemed as though his undefeated streak was safe.

There was no doubt about it Goliath was a rock star! And - he knew it.

So, there he stood taunting the army of God. Another day, another humiliation of the enemy. If they sent someone out to face him, he would slaughter them and be victorious. If they refused to send someone out to challenge him then he won by default through intimidation. There was not a man anywhere who could handle him.

But, there was a boy. There was a godly boy. There was a goldly boy who had never heard about Goliath but who was very familiar with God. When that godly boy showed up and heard the taunts and curses of this Philistine, he took it personally. No one fooled with his God! This big guy needed a lesson in respect! It was time for him to go!

Goliath had faced a lot of men. He had never faced a boy. He had faced people who were strong and confident, but none of them had proven to be as strong or confident as him. But there was something different about this boy - different or crazy. This is the first time Goliath had faced an opponent who was not coming in his own strength but in the strength of God. As he was soon to find out, not even the strongest most confident man is a match for God.

David entered the battle with faith in God while Goliath was trusting his own strength. Therein is the lesson.

Anything you do in your own strength will fail. A giant-sized ego is no match for a gigantic God. Strength is nice, but no subsitute for God's power. Confidence is helpful, but humility is better. Experience is a benefit, but faith is superior.

If you are going to battle giants - or little guys, for that matter, trust in God's power and go in His strength. Not to do so would be a huge mistake.

May 21, 2010

"David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” I Samuel 17:45-47

Not only did David know how to fight a giant, he knew why to fight a giant.

Fighting giants is a big job so you better know why and when to do it! As I conclude these thoughts about David and Goliath over the next few days I want to share some giant lessons.

Lesson one: why fight a giant?

David fought the giant to defend God's glory. This defiant giant was impugning God and the armies of God. Not only did he disrespect God but he was causing God's people to despair and to doubt God. Because David was zealous for God and jealous of His honor, this giant had to go! David knew he had to fight the giant to defend the reputation of his God.

Never fight a giant for your own reputation or to make a name for yourself. That is not a good enough cause.

David fought the giant to deliver God's people. Goliath had the army of Israel trapped in fear and despair. His threats and taunts had immobilzed the troops. That was putting them at risk as well as the nation they defended. God called His people to be free. We are not designed for fear. When David recognized that God's people needed to be delivered he knew he had to fight the giant.

Never fight a giant to impress. Only fight a giant if you or others are oppressed. Freedom is a reason to fight giants.

David fought the giant to demonstrate God power. This mammoth hulk of a man was making God's warriors look weak. The giant was causing people to lose their fear of Jehovah and to embolden the enemies bent on destroying them. Not only were the Philistines beginning to believe they could defeat Israel, other enemies were watching closely. When an army marched in those days they carried the banner of their gods, they carried the banners of their tribes, and they carried the flag of their nation. So, in a very real and visible way the army of a nation represented all that nation represented. When an army looked weak, the entire nation and its culture and its religion looked weak. David demonstrated that God's power through a boy is far stronger than the enemies' strongest weapon.

Never fight a giant to demonstrate your strength or power. Only confront a giant to demonstrate that His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

There are reasons for fighting giants. I have given you three of them. David fought Goliath for the right reasons and God honored him with victory.

May 20, 2010

"David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent." I Samuel 17:54

Winning is not easy. Winning is not natural. For winning to happen there must be a plan and a purpose and a price to be paid and there must be persistence. There are good reasons why some people win and why some people lose.

There was a reason why David won and Goliath lost. Those reasons are significant and make ALL the difference. Winners understand the differences and buy into the reasons. Losers don't. Winners do the hard things and pay the short-term price to gain the long-term victory. Losers don't.

My granddaughter, Zoey, played soccer in a recreation league that is so typical of our "loser" mentality that infests our culture today. In this league they didn't keep score and they gave trophies to everyone. Essentially, they were teaching the kids that there is no difference between winning and losing. NOT TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER YOU DON'T!

I called her after her first game and I asked her, "Zoey, how did your game go?" She said, "We won!" I asked, "What was the score?" She knew! I told her, "Zoey, you are a winner! Winners keep score! Don't let anyone make you think like a loser!"

We do our kids and ourselves a great disservice if we don't distinguish between winning and losing.

Not only do winners do thing differently BEFORE they win, they also know how to celebrate and preserve their victory. Victors use one victory to prepare for the next.

You need to understand that to appreciate what David did with the head of Goliath and with his armor. What David was doing was preserving the memory of one great victory in order to assure that there would be more of them.

As the story spread through the ancient world about this amazing victory over the great Champion, Goliath, there would be many who would find it hard to believe. There would be a demand for evidence. David was making sure that evidence would be readily available.

The ancient world was a world ruled by violence and the aggressive use of force. Only the strong survived and remained free. Having the head of a mighty giant posted at the gate of your camp or your city sent a clear message to the next potential invader.

When the New Orlean Saints won the Super Bowl they were awarded the Lombardi Trophy. That trophy will serve as a permanent reminded of their victory. Trophies are important.

Goliath's armor served as a trophy for David to remind him of his victory or the giant. Just as his victory over a lion and his victory over a bear gave his confidence against the giant, the armor of the giant would encourage him the next time he faced a formidable foe. It was evidence that a winner intended to keep winning. Every morning when he awoke he could gaze across the room and see the armor hanging there. Every night before he turned off the lights, the last thing he would see is the armor of the giant. So, his first thought in the morning was victory and his last thought at night was victory. No wander he was a winner!

The simple little story of David and Goliath has so many profound truths. There are reasons why it has endured for so many centuries and will remain poignant and powerful forever. It is a lesson on how to win and how to use the victory to prepare for the next one.

Do the hard work to be a winner. Stand for truth and righteousness. Defend the faith. Live out the courage of your convictions. Know your pupose. Live in passion. Have a plan. Keep your perspective. Pray. And when God gives you the victory, grab a trophy! Start a winning streak! God's people go from victory to victory!

May 18, 2010

"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! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken." I Samuel 17:8-10

Every obstacle presents an opportunity, doesn't it?

In this case we could say it was a "giant" opportunity. Goliath set up a winner take all situation where one men could fight him in stead of two armies going to battle.

Obviously, Goliath knew the odds were in his favor. He was bigger and stronger and meaner than anyone on the other side. Whoever would dare to take him on would not only have the difficult task of defeating the giant but he would have the pressure of deciding the fate of all his fellow troops. A big decision, no doubt.

I have been where the Israeli army was and maybe you have been, too. They were just one hard decision away from victory. Their unwillingness to make the hard decision was keeping them discouraged and feeling defeated. It wasn't that they didn't know what they needed to do it was that they didn't want to make the decision.

What can we learn from this situation that might help us make the hard decisions?

Two things:

You have to have a cause greater than your concerns and a courage stronger than your cautions. How does that happen?

Take charge over what you look at and what you hear. It's about the view you see and the voice you listen to. Twice a day they were focusing on the giant and listening to his taunts. Predictably, that overwhelmed them.

David walked into camp fresh off of victories over a lion and a bear. His view was focused on God and that is the voice he was hearing. Therefore, his decision was easy to make. He took the challenge and welcomed the pressure. From his point of view it was a done deal. His attitude was that this was God's battle not his. He was right.

Big decisions need to be God decisions. God brings giant challenges before us to cause us to depend on Him. God puts a giant opportunity on the backside of every giant challenge. When we step out He steps up.

David was able to make the hard decision because of the view he had and the voice he listened to. His view was faith and the voice was God's.

You may be just one hard decision away from a great victory. If you are struggling to make the hard decision check the view you are looking at and the voice you are listening to.

May 16, 2010

"So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword." I Samuel 17:50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

I am sure you have seen this video clip before. It is one of the great feel good stories of the last decade! Everyone loves an underdog and JMac certainly fills that role!

If you like underdogs (and who doesn't) the Bible is filled with underdogs who become overcomers. Just to name a few:

The Israelites at the Red Sea. When they were backed up to the sea with the Egyptian army riding down on them. They went from vulnerability to victors in the power of God!

The Israelites at Jericho. Confronting one of the most fortified cities in the history of human civilization, they obeyed God and watched the walls collapse at their shout!

Samson took on a thousand Philistines and killed them all. Did he have an automatic weapon or heavy artillary? No, he had the jawbone of an ass! I'd call that an upset!

Gideon was called to face the ferocious Midianites with a force of just 300 men. What did they have for weapons? They were armed with a pitcher, a torch and a trumpet against heavily armed, highly trained and blood-thirsty warriors. But how did that end up?

We serve a God who is able to make underdogs become into overcomers! I am not sure if this is what the Apostle Paul was thinking when he penned the strong affirmation, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

The answer? Not an army! No a fortified city! Not a band of warriors! Not even a giant!

It sort makes you want to stop and re-examine this underdog label. Who is REALLY the underdog, afterall?

What are you facing today? What stands in opposition to you?

No matter how imposing or intimidating it seems here's the truth - IT'S THE UNDERDOG!

Feel like a winner? You should! You will!

May 15, 2010

"David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground." I Samuel 17:45-48

What have we been talking about this week? We have been proving the statement that it was the five stones in David's spirit that killed the giant as much as the stone in his sling. I believe that and I hope maybe I have convinced you.

The five stones I identified are: purpose, passion, plan, perspective and now, prayer. The key to purpose is commitment and the question is, "What am I willing to live for?" For passion the key is conviction and the question is, "What do I truly believe?" A plan is essential for anything you do, especially if you intend to face a giant. The key to a plan is competence and the question is, "How do I play to my strengths?" Stone four is perspective and the key is concentration. Here's the question, "Where do I chose to concentrate?"

This morning I want to share some thoughts on the fifth stone, prayer. With prayer the question is, "Will I live in communion with God?"

When it comes to David, communion with God was the deal! Giant-killers are built on the backside of the desert alone with God. That's where David and God got acquainted and that's where David found out what God can do. It is also where God found out what David would do.

David proves that prayer is not and act as much as it is an attitude, it is an attachment with God. There is no prayer recorded when David faced Goliath and launched the stone toward Goliath's temple.

Giant-killers live in constant communion with God. His thoughts are their thoughts. His nature is their nature. His will is their will. His strength is their strength. Giant-killers don't start praying the just never stop. They pray without ceasing.

The small smooth stone that pieced Goliath's skull was the world's first guided missile. Was David skillful with the sling? Absolutely, but he was better at trusting God. You can't tell me that David didn't launch a quick prayer the same time he launched the stone.

Prayer brings a giant-God into play against the big trials and tests of life. Got any of those? Any giants on your horizon? Live in communion with God. Don't think about starting to pray think about never stopping!

May 14, 2010

"David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” I Samuel 17:43-45

When I went to my first church as a young fellow fresh out of school I was told by the pastor whom I was succeeding, "You will never grow a church with these people."

I was well aware that I couldn't but I was sure God could - and He did!

What was the difference? Perspective!

Perspective is how you see what you see. It is how you feel about what you see. It is what you think about the way you see and feel. Perspective is the fourth stone we will talk about this week as we talk about killing giants.

So far we have considered the stones of purpose, passion and plan.

When young David showed up at the camp of the Israelites that morning bringing supplies to his brothers, he found a bunch of fearful, frustrated and intimidated soldiers. They were being challenged by a very arrogant and extremely large warrior named Goliath. From their perspective he was too big to mess with. But somehow when David heard his threats and saw his size he thought that Goliath was too big to miss!

What's the difference in these opinions? Perspective!

So, why did the soldiers see things so much differently than the shepherd boy?

I'm sure thare are many reasons but let me suggest a few:

Fresh eyes. These weary soldiers had heard the taunts and stared at the behemoth every day for weeks and hadn't responded. As they became more discouraged Goliath became more formidable.

Obstacles are like that, the longer we try to ignore them or avoid them the bigger they get! Every day we fail to act or hesitate to confront them the more power they gain over us.

That is what happened with my pastor friend while I was coming to the scene with fresh eyes.

Faith eyes. David was seeing Goliath from the perspective of faith confident that God would use him to take down the giant. However, they had become fearful in their perspective and were convinced they couldn't win.

Faithful eyes. Unlike the soldiers, David was not content to stare at the giant and listen to his smack talk, he had to do something. He took responsibility for the problem. The leader in him emerged.

Focused eyes. When he looked at Goliath he saw a bullseye painted right on the side of his head. Looking at the giant reminded him that he had been attacked by a lion and slain it. A bear had threatened his sheep and he killed it. The same God who was faithful against those enemies would not fail him this time.

Fanatic eyes. David was a fanatic! Why do we shy away from that term? We are quick to identify ourselves as a Redskins "fan", or a Hokie "fan", or a UVA "fan", but cringe at the thought of being a "religious fanatic". Do you have a problem with being a "fan" of God? Does it bother you to be a "fan" of Jesus? If so, why? It didn't bother David to be a surrendered, sold out, stand up and be counted fanatic for God! Perhaps, that reason more than any other is why he had a different perspective from the others.

The same reasons that David became a giant-killer are the same reasons he was able to become a king! He looked at life through the lens of a faith perspective. His focus was on loving and serving God and he let God worry about everything else.

How is your perspective heading into this day? Are their some giants that need to fall?

Focus your faith fully on your Father. Concentrate on loving Him and serving Him and pleasing Him and let Him worry about the giants. Spend some time gazing on Him until He gives you fresh eyes - faith eyes! Suddenly the giant will change from a big threat to a big target.

My guess is the giant is beginning to shrink already!