Giant Slayers - Leif HetlandSample

  

Celebrate Past Victories

When David heard Goliath’s threats and insults, a righteous indignation rose up in his chest. He knew he had to do something. His sense of call and his courage caused him to begin asking the men around him what the king would do for the man who fought Goliath. When the king got ear of David’s questions, he summoned him to his tent. There, David confidently declared his intention to fight the giant. As we discussed in the last chapter, Saul was less than enthusiastic about David’s idea. Essentially, he told him, “There’s no way you can fight that giant and live.” It’s not surprising that Saul would doubt David’s ability. Not only was he prone to fearing those who might out-shine him, but Goliath was a formidable opponent.

David’s confidence, especially when contrasted with the fear of the experienced Israeli army, must have seemed like laughable naïveté. Saul was an experienced warrior and a war hero in his own right. Yet even he was not lining up to fight Goliath. Saul and his men were not cowards. They were simply seasoned warriors who recognized the immensity of the challenge before them. They were, in some ways, wise to avoid conflict with the giant. It is no wonder, then, that Saul immediately discounted David. Nothing on the outside of David indicated that he would have even a chance of success.

Yet David did not let this discourage him. Instead, he responded to Saul’s doubts by sharing a few of his personal experiences with God. David had seen God come through and help him overcome the odds, and he knew God would do it again. David had seen seemingly insurmountable situations before. He had faced terrifying opponents who seemed to have the advantage, and yet he had come out the victor. This was his experience, and because of it he believed God would help him overcome Goliath. In other words, David recited his history as a defense for the likelihood of his future success. This account of God’s goodness swayed King Saul, and he gave David permission to fight the giant.

Giant Slayers: Ground Rules for Overcoming Life's Greatest Obstacles 

by Leif Hetland 

Link: http://a.co/ivjLBi6