GOD WILL MAKE A WAY: Facing Life s Challenges With Confidence

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY: Facing Life s Challenges With Confidence

WHEN GOD LEADS YOU TO THE "IMPOSSIBLE": TRUST HIS PAST FAITHFULNESS 1 Samuel 17

Introduction In the fifth week of God Will Make a Way: Facing Life s Challenges With Confidence When facing seemingly impossible challenges or obstacles God will always make a way We ve been looking at this in the context of the battle of Jericho

Introduction The children of Israel gave us a good example as they experienced the great victory over Jericho They focused on God and His plan They trusted God and His plan even when it didn t make sense They did all God commanded God blessed their obedience

Introduction The children of Israel gave us a good example as they experienced the great victory over Jericho Last week, we saw what not to do Problem of sin in the camp Problem of arrogance by Israel s leaders The key is to always seek God and His counsel and urge obedience by all

Introduction Today, I want to look at the need to trust God when facing the impossible There is never a time we are promised an absence of challenges in this life When those challenges do come, we must see them as opportunities We must always trust God Look at 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17:1-4 1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in

1 Samuel 17:1-4 battle array against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span

Introduction This is a very familiar story David and Goliath There are many today who have never heard or have missed out on its value It is full of spiritual nuggets of truth It is more than just a story about David slaying Goliath It is about trust in God

Introduction The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley - the Valley of Elah Goliath is the Philistine champion He was huge by any standards Height - six cubits and a span (9'9")

Introduction Goliath is the Philistine champion Coat five thousand shekels of bronze = 130 lbs Head of spear - 600 shekels 15lbs Saul is the king He is the tallest in Israel

1 Samuel 17:8-11 8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your

1 Samuel 17:8-11 servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us. 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

The Challenge Goliath seemed like an impossible foe to Saul and his army Goliath taunted them twice a day for 40 days 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation This was definitely a trial or time of testing for Israel

The Challenge Saul s faith was being challenged He was the tallest and unwilling to go Saul s army s faith was being challenged They were all afraid In both cases, their focus was on Goliath as a problem In both cases, they refused to focus on the past faithfulness of God

The Challenge They refused to focus on who they were God s special people Does this happen to us when we face impossible situations? We have already seen the first part of the solution is to get the right focus In this case, God sent David to show them a proper response

David s response First, he was shocked at the reaction of Saul and his army For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? v27 He is shocked over Goliath s arrogance He is shocked over Saul and army s response

David s response Then, David had to deal with his brothers and their attacks Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle. v28 David didn t let this stop him

David s response Word got back to Saul Saul summoned David This is the first glimmer of hope for Saul He trusted David and he trusted God enough to send him into battle He hedged his bet by offering his armor for David David had to refuse the armor

David s faith Trusts God He knows who he is He trusts the past faithfulness of God Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. v36 God was with him then and is now

David s faith Trusts God David trusts that God will use who and what David is to have victory David remains true to himself David returned to what he knew had always worked for him--his staff, five stones, and his sling and God David was ready to face Goliath

David and Goliath Instead of a big problem David sees Goliath as a big target This is an opportunity for God to shine David maintains the right perspective I m not going to do it by myself God will do it through him This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, (v46)

For us We must trust God s past faithfulness God does not change or waver from who He is We must remember the role God has played in his past victories We must remember the role God has played in preparing us for today and the future

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. THE ENEMY HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. BE READY FOR BOTH. JUST BE WISE ENOUGH TO KNOW WHICH ONE TO BATTLE AND WHICH ONE TO EMBRACE. -author unknown

Yes REMEMBER

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY