I wish I could take credit for the title of this blog post.
I cannot. The title is taken from a sermon I recently heard by Eric Johnson
from Bethel Church in Redding California. I was so encouraged and challenged by
the sermon that I felt I must share. The four main points that follow were made
by Eric, while the brief paragraph the follows each one is mine.
Eric took 1 Samuel 17, possibly the most read chapter in the
Bible, and extracted 4 values that marked David’s life. These values, forged in
the secret place, contributed to the slaying of Goliath and his later success
as King. Eric was careful to note the list was not exhaustive.
1. A giant killer is a servant
- In verses 17-18 of 1 Sam 17, we see that David’s father,
Jesse, asked David to run an errand. Nothing more. We can be almost certain
that David did not wake up that morning expecting to have the biggest
opportunity of his life; one that would be celebrated and studied for centuries
to come. Rather, he chose to serve. Eric said it like this, “There are moments
in life that are mundane and boring, but the “yes” could change your life”.
What if David had said no that day? What if he had suggested one of his
father’s servants go instead? In the Kingdom, we never graduate from being a
servant.
2. A giant killer responds to a cause
- In verse 29 David is clearly moved by the injustice of the
enemy. There is a just cause. Rather than David waiting for something to happen
to him, he chooses to happen to it. Further, it is worth noting that sometimes being
moved by injustice and taking action is not the most popular decision. We must
learn when to listen to and submit to the voices of the big brothers in our
lives, and when those voices are being influenced by fear.
3. A giant killer has history with God
- This is my favorite and, in my opinion, the most essential
value David possessed. In verses 34-36 David recounts to Saul his exploits as a
shepherd boy (most experts think David is around 12-13 years of age at this
time). The exploits are nothing short of incredible. David tells of defending
his father’s sheep from the attack of both a bear and a lion. What’s more is
that David did not simply scare them away, no, he grabbed them by their beards
and slaughtered them. What’s the point? David was faithful in what he had been
given to do, regardless of how mundane the task seemed. I can’t imagine his
father being angry if he had lost one sheep to a bear. I mean, it’s a stinkin’ bear,
right?! But, for David, he refused to concede even one. He was faithful to
complete his task with excellence even when no one was watching. Jesus said it
like this, “he who is faithful in little, I will put over much” (Luke 16:10,
para.). I believe that it was these private victories that gave David the
confidence he needed when faced with Goliath. Often God will take our private
breakthroughs, and turn them into a public blessing. David knew who he was, and
knew who his God was. This leads us to our final point.
4. A giant killer knows his identity
- We know from the Psalms, and can reasonably infer, that as
a young boy watching his father’s sheep, David had a lot of alone time. We also
know that David wasn’t your average boy. No, rather than daydreaming the day
away, he was spending time with his Father. Perhaps it was these years of
living in the secret place with God that gave David the title, “a man after
God’s own heart”. It is clear by David’s life that he knew God on a more
intimate level than most. When the armies of the living God were paralyzed with
fear, David saw the situation from a different perspective. He also knew
himself. David didn’t allow the snide remarks of his brothers to define him. Knowing,
really knowing, God and yourself is a
natural consequence of spending time in His presence. His truth begins to
define us and we begin to become supremely confident in the unchanging nature
of our Father. I can imagine David thinking, “I have killed a lion and a bear,
how is this guy any different?” Further, we see in verse 39 Saul trying to put
his armor on David. This was more than simply a safety precaution. Saul was
actually trying to place his identity on David. Yet, David knew he couldn’t win
the battle with Saul’s identity. David knew who he was, and used the weapon God
has gifted him to use. Certainly many people in the body of Christ today can be
freed by this truth: be who God made you to be! Don’t try to be like anyone
else! You represent a unique aspect of God’s nature that no one else on the face
of the planet can! You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
