Bethel will press pause on The Story through the Advent and Christmas seasons as we prepare for the coming of a king. This is the one for whom John the Baptist prepares the way declaring that he is “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’” (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23). And this is the one Isaiah proclaims: “authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

We hear these bold claims about who Jesus is. We witness the miracles He performed. We even hear of His resurrection. Whether we’re talking about the people of God at the time of Abraham or Moses or David or Jesus, our memory seems to last just for a moment before we’re on to something else. Even though we technically “know” about God and what God has done throughout history, when we are face-to-face with the “giants,” our resolve is tested. Perhaps that’s why the giants exist. We may wish that we would be exempt from having to face giants because of our faith in God. The reality is we are not exempt. We know them: these are the giants that make us feel small and insignificant, powerless, hopeless, and insecure. Sometimes the giants try to isolate us so we feel as if we stand on the battlefield bare, unprotected and alone.

We read about David, the teenage youngest son of Jesse, and Goliath, the 9’ 9″ the taunting giant from Gath. Maybe because of his youth, David saw things clearly and simply (take a look at the passage from Luke 18). Much like the youth of today, David saw through the posturing and bravado to what was really going on. David challenged the fearful Israelite army under the command of King Saul by asking: “who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26). David faced the giant, Goliath, with confidence in God rather than confidence in his own strength. He trusted God and he acted on that trust.

Personal Reflection

Think about a time in your life when you faced a giant. In the presence of the giant …

• did you react in fear?
• did you stand firm in your faith and face the giant?
• did you react in some other way?

What made the difference?
Did you hear, feel or sense God urging you in one way or another?

Closing Prayer

Dear God, help me to keep my eyes open to what you see both in the circumstances of my life and the people with whom I come in contact. Work with me and mold me. I welcome your presence in my life that challenges me and changes me … that inspires and moves me. Do what you need to do in, with and through me to refine and prepare me to be used by you in greater ways.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Resources

Sermon @ 8:00am The Story | From Shepherd to King

Sermon @ 11:00am The Story | From Shepherd to King

Scriptures

• From worship: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 & Luke 18:15-27
• Chapter 11 in The Story covers the following: 1 Samuel 16-18, 24, 31; 2 Samuel 6, 22; 1 Chronicles 17, Psalm 59