The 5 Stones of Victory

May 22, 2009

Text: 1 Samuel 17:41-51

Title: The 5 Stones of Victory

 

Thoughts:

There’s been numerous sermons, articles, and papers written about the meaning of the 5 smooth stones David accumulated before his confrontation with Goliath. And, this is not  one of them. However, it just seemed to work with the 5 challenges we discussed Sunday morning for Dismembering Sin. In our conflict with sin, these are some of the spiritual keys we should remember. So, here’s my list of stones:

 

1) I have to call it ‘sin’. If I am truly going to slay the giant that is before me, I must come to the reality that it is ‘sin’. Far too often I am tempted to mislabel sin in my life. I refer to it as a weakness, a family flaw, a personality issue, etc. When David heard Goliath’s taunts he asked one question: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine…?” In David’s understanding, this unbeliever was defying the armies of the living God. Goliath was sin standing in the way of God’s promises. If we are going to conquer it, this must be our attitude toward sin.

 

2) I have to understand it is spiritual. The moment we begin to approach sin as a mere physical issue that we must overcome, we have lost the battle. It is deeply spiritual and will not be undertaken without spiritual warfare. David did not wear Saul’s armor because it he had not tried it. Instead, he entered into battle with unconventional battle array because He had tried it before. 

 

3) I must combat it with the Word. David had a keen awareness of who God was/is. Unlike the cowardly hosts, David recognized God’s role in this battle (1 Sam. 17:47). The psalmist declared, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps.119:11). When Christ battled Satan in the wilderness, He too displayed the importance of Scripture in our confrontation with sin. We must consume the promises and strength of God through His Word.

 

4) I must recall my past victories. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony…” David’s confidence came in his victory over the lion and the bear. Repeatedly, he recalls God’s past deliverance and the assurance of His present presence (1 Sam. 17:37). Our previous victories, though they may not be as large as the present giant, give us the assurance and confidence in our God. Recall what God has done for you.

 

5) I must dismember the giant. Don’t settle for anything less than a defeated and decapitated giant!

 

Application:

Of the 5 stones, which comes to you easiest? Which one is the most difficult?

 

What is your Word intake plan? How are you applying it to your current battle?

 

Take some time to write out some past victories and use them as foundations for this current battle. Look at them often.

 

Prayer:

Father,

 

Sometimes facing the giant of sin seems so impossible. No one imagined David could be victorious over Goliath. Nevertheless, You delivered Your chosen servant, just as You will deliver me. I ask today that You will empower me with unconventional warfare in my battle against sin. Help me to ingest and digest Your Word today. May I be ever mindful of yesterday’s deliverance and always assured of Your presence today.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Becoming Defensive

May 21, 2009

Text: 1 Samuel 17:28-40

Title: Becoming Defensive

 

Thoughts:

During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?” “Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”  (Today in the Word, July 13, 1993.)

 

There’s something about rising up against the status quo. Though the knowledge that it needs to be done prevails, it still paralyzes the individual. In the midst of the masses we have the courage of a roaring lion. Yet, when the spotlights are turned on us we shrivel into a skeleton of the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz.

 

Beyond this melting courage, we also experience a second phenomenon: we become defensive of our cowardliness. I suppose we’ve all been there when someone hit that soft-spot of our lives. That tender place where we know we should be doing more, but we’re not. Like a startled puffer fish, we quickly inflate and employee our defensive mechanisms. We begin to excuse our cowardliness by attacking the courageous.

 

When David arrived to his brothers’ camp and overheard the taunting giant, he became inquisitive as to the reward being offered for the courageous warrior who would battle Goliath. Immediately, David’s brothers became defensive of their position and outraged at David’s presence (1 Sam. 17:28). Jealousy broke out and conviction hit home.

 

There’s just something about knowing what we need to confront in our lives, but just not having the courage to face it. When that happens in my life, I find I often become defensive like David’s brothers. I attack the courageous and defend my lack of courage to challenge the giants in my life. It just seems easier to defend my position than to fight my lack of faith, courage, and resolve to challenge status quo and defeat.

 

God is looking for David’s; men and women who are willing to challenge the giant within in order to take the giant on the hill. The Church will never be able to storm the gates of hell until they storm the gates of doubt, unbelief, and mediocrity within.

 

Application:

Do you become defensive of your cowardliness and laziness? Be honest.

 

When has someone else’s courage and victory caused you to become cynical?

 

Is there an area you are defending at the moment? What needs to happen for that to change?

 

Prayer:

Father,

 

I am challenged by Your Word this morning. I see myself in the life of David’s brother. It is much easier to get angry and question the sincerity of others than to address my own laziness. Jesus, help me to rise above this cynical approach. I want to make the needed changes in my life that I might have the heart of David, a man with a heart after You. Do not let me remain in the valley of the shadow of my enemy. Grant me courage and strength through Your Spirit to rise above and conquer.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Different View

May 20, 2009

Text: 1 Samuel  17:14-23

Title: A Different View

 

Thoughts:

A few days ago, one of my Facebook friends decided to post some pictures from his luxurious suite in a tropical setting. With a picturesque sun setting over the pristine blue waters, even I was a bit jealous. As I scrolled down the page, the pictures kept reiterating the view of his brief break from the mundane and an invitation to enjoy life, even if for just a moment.

 

In all honesty, I couldn’t help but rejoice with him. Life hasn’t been so easy to him or those around him lately. No doubt, this room with a view was a reprieve from the weary battle called life.

 

Each of us have those moments when we need to see life from a different view. At times our situations, our battles, and our issues seem far too daunting to ever get over. Somehow we catch glimpses of the tropical getaways and believe everyone else lives there, but US. In our estimation, we will never live to see those days.

 

Revisiting the age-old David vs. Goliath passage, I was hit with a revelation about a possible reason why David seen the battle so much differently than those soldiers living in it. In 1 Sam. 17:15 the scripture describes David’s situation, “but David went back and forth from Saul to tend to his father’s flock at Bethlehem.” David didn’t live in the battle, therefore he had another perspective of the battle. Away from the taunts of Goliath and other enemies, David sat in a peaceful field tending his father’s sheep. Harp in hand and the Word of God in his heart, the young David lived in intimacy with the Father. He saw life through an entirely different set of lenses.

 

It seems so easy to look at others in the midst of their battles and to see just how manageable their situation is through Jesus Christ. Yet, when it comes to the battle I live in daily, I cannot possible imagine how God could grant me the victory I need. It just seems impossible. 

 

In our battle against the giant of sin, we must learn to retreat to the pasture. There, with the Word in our heart and praise on our lips, we begin to see the handiwork of an able God. It’s as refreshing as that picturesque sunset, even if we have to return to work out our enemy’s demise.

 

Application:

Have you ever faced a situation that a close friend has faced victoriously, but you felt it was impossible for you?

 

Why is it easier to see how manageable a situation is for others, but not for ourselves?

 

What season are you in at this moment: In the pasture gaining strength? Or, in the battle working out your enemies defeat?

 

Prayer:

Father,

 

How refreshing it is to see this insight from Your Word. Where David lived in his faith and life was so much different than where his brothers lived. Living under the canopy of their enemy’s shadow, the army accepted defeat. Yet, David lived under the canopy of heaven and the voice of his Father. May I  find that place and begin to live with a different view.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.