1 Samuel 16-17

Glyn & Sophia Barrett

Have you ever wondered why you may be facing reoccurring issues in your life? Just like a boomerang you try to throw them aside only to have them come back to taunt you. These issues are never silent, or benign they instinctively know where you are weak and use that knowledge to intimidate you to do nothing. Is there something wrong with you? Are you less of a Christian? No! You've just got a giant to deal with. There is no point in being in denial or ignoring the fact, you have an enemy and it is not going away. Your enemy has pitched camp, and it has got comfortable. David killed a giant and gave us insights into killing our own giants that stand between us and the life God has given us. Everyone must come to a point where they say "enough is enough!" So get ready for a fight - it is time to put a brick in your back pack.

DAY ONE: Brick ONE: Do a good job

Read 1 Sam 16:18-23. Before David met his giant he served his father and looked after his family's sheep and then he served Saul by playing the harp when ever the king was tormented. It says that Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him. Never under estimate the power of credibility. How are you doing with your responsibilities? Are the people in your world 'pleased with you.' This may seem a huge challenge in the face of your enemy, you may feel justified in letting everything fall apart, but our responsibilities are just that, our responsibility. Look at your day and ask what needs doing and determine to do it well.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Col 3:23,24)

DAY TWO: Brick TWO: Turn up

Read 1 Sam 17: 12 -20. David was actually physically present at the battlefield. You can not challenge your giant unless you are ready to acknowledge the situation. Many of us deny, ignore or try to think, and speak positive hoping the problem will go away. The fact is that your enemy is real and has got one thought on it's mind and that is your demise. No battle can be won unless you 'turn up' in your heart and mind and prepare to engage it. You've got to acknowledge the problem and prepare to face it. If you are already at that point then congratulations, you are half way there. The Lord promises you his presence and provision even the valley of the shadow of death. Thank God today for the willingness to face the issue and His promise to with you and provide for you every step of the way. (Ps 23)

DAY THREE: Brick THREE: Get Desperate

Read 1 Sam 17:16. Forty days, morning and night, the enemy had taunted the army of Israel before David arrived. That means in the morning the army of Israel drew up their battle lines to meet the enemy and shouted their war cry. Then in the evening they would do the same. A total of eighty times the army of Israel went out to battle positions and gave the war cry and proceeded to do nothing. Many times in order to face our giants we need to get desperate. The need we have change comes to out way our fear. Now is time to get mad with the status quo and cry out to God. Your salvation is only a heart felt prayer away.

DAY FOUR: Brick FOUR: See past other peoples opinions

Read 1 Sam 17:28-39. David had his own brother tell him to run along back to his sheep. The battlefield was no place for David. When David would not leave he had the king himself tell him he could not fight the giant. Often we feel like we are out of our league. Who are we to fight a giant? David knew 2 things that helped him see past other people's opinions.

1. He was anointed by God.
2. The battle was the Lord's.

God has given you everything you need to face your giant because he won the battle of battles when he died on the cross and rose again 3 days later. You just need to apply that victory to this giant and everyone will see that there is a God and that He saves. Ask God to help you see His victory as your victory and run out to meet your giant no matter what other people say.

DAY FIVE: Brick FIVE: See past the fight to what is on the other side

Read 1 Sam 17:25-27. David was just interested in killing the giant for the prestige, he wanted to know what would the man who killed Goliath get for his trouble. This is called incentive. Everyone needs incentive for doing anything difficult. Can you imagine what life would be like if you faced and beat your giant? Picture it and then focus on it because that will see you through when you want to quit. Today ask God to help you see the life that he wants you to live and ask for his help to live it today.

DAY SIX: Brick SIX: Recognise what you've got

Read 1 Sam 17:34-37. David had won before. He had the confidence of his skill as proved by killing the lion and the bear. He didn't need his family's approval, nor the armour of the king, nor the respect of his enemy. David was confident in His God and in his ability. You can draw strength from your past victories. There have been times when you stood up for what was right and the situation changed. This time is no different.
Know today that because God is on your side in facing your enemy head on you can not lose. (Rom 8:31-32).

DAY SEVEN: Brick SEVEN: Get some attitude

Read 1 Sam 17: 40-51. David did not hesitate. He did not dwell on his inadequacies or what if I lose. David faced his giant with full confidence that he would win that God would deliver Goliath into his hands. When David spoke he declared to his giant exactly what was going to happen to him. It is a great monologue and one which all of us can say over our giant. Turn up, get desperate, see past people's opinions, see past your fight, recognise what you've got and speak to your giant and tell it that it doesn't have a chance and all will know that there is a God and that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lords. Then run towards your giant. Happy hunting!
(Is 54:17a).