{"id":33196,"date":"2024-10-30T22:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T05:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/1-samuel-17_20-40-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-10-15T19:49:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T02:49:04","slug":"1-samuel-17_41-58","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/1-samuel-17_41-58\/","title":{"rendered":"Move Forward with Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 Samuel\u00a0 17:41-58\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 (CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Samuel 17:41-58.\u00a0 As usual,\u00a0I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first.\u00a0 See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help. Then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

1 Samuel 17:41-43 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n41\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.
\n42\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.
\n43\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a041-43a: \u00a0Goliath made fun of the weapons David brought to the battle.\u00a0 A similar thing happens when people of the world see God’s people praying, reading God’s Word and taking church seriously.\u00a0 They think, “What good will that do?” \u00a0Little do they know that our weapons have power that the things they trust in do not have: power to demolish strongholds, power to bring the most significant changes to people’s lives.\u00a0 As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”<\/p>\n

1 Samuel 17:43-44 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n43\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
\n44\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0“Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 43b-44: When Goliath cursed David, David did not curse back.\u00a0 He didn’t need to.\u00a0 In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham that “I will bless those who bless you, and\u00a0whoever curses you I will curse<\/em><\/strong>“.\u00a0 This promise is also for all of Abraham’s faith descendants, including David, you and me.\u00a0 So\u00a0whenever anyone curses you, remember that God will defend you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:45 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n45\u00a0<\/sup>David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 45: \u00a0David trusted in the name of the Lord Almighty more than in any sword, spear or javelin.\u00a0 That’s because David knew that\u00a0the name of the Lord saves in ways that a sword, spear or javelin cannot.<\/strong>\u00a0 As David would later say in verse 47, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” \u00a0Elsewhere David would write in Psalm 20:7-8: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but\u00a0we trust in the name of the LORD our God<\/em>. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”<\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:46 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n46\u00a0<\/sup>This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 46: \u00a0Goliath said he would feed David’s corpse to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field (v43).\u00a0 David uses similar language, but notice that his focus is different:<\/p>\n

– David doesn’t just say he will feed Goliath’s body, but\u00a0the entire Philistine army<\/em>, to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth; and<\/p>\n

– David says that it is God, not David, who will get the glory and the credit for the victory (v46-47).<\/p>\n

In other words, Goliath’s vision was self-centered and therefore smaller, while David’s vision was God-centered and therefore bigger. What is your vision?\u00a0 Is it to see yourself glorified or is it to see God glorified?\u00a0 In this battle,\u00a0the one with the God-centered vision won. \u00a0 Have a God-centered vision for your life, one that is about seeing God glorified, not yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:48 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n48\u00a0<\/sup>As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 48: \u00a0For the first time, when Goliath approaches, an Israelite runs toward him in faith instead of running away from him in fear. \u00a0Don’t fearfully run away from your problems, procrastinating and delaying what you need to do.\u00a0 Confront your problems head on with faith.\u00a0 God is with you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:49-51 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n49\u00a0<\/sup>Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.\u00a0<\/em>
\n50\u00a0<\/sup>So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 49-50: \u00a0God honoured the faith with which David confronted the giant problem in his life.\u00a0 Likewise,\u00a0God will honour you when you face your challenges with an attitude of faith.\u00a0 Arm yourself with faith and giants will fall before you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:51 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n51\u00a0<\/sup>David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 51: \u00a0As the ultimate demonstration of David’s triumph over Goliath, David takes Goliath’s own sword and cuts off his head. \u00a0Just as David used Goliath’s own weapon against him, Jesus took the cross\u00a0<\/strong>— the tool that Satan wanted to use to destroy Jesus —\u00a0and used it against Satan.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Jesus took a tool that was meant for his own execution and turned into a tool by which he would triumph over our greatest enemy.\u00a0 As Colossians 2:15 says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”<\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:52-53 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n52\u00a0<\/sup>Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.
\n53\u00a0<\/sup>When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 52-53: \u00a0When David stepped out in faith, it gave the rest of the Israelite army courage to step out in faith too.\u00a0 It shows that\u00a0when you’re courageous, it’s contagious.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Fear can be contagious too.\u00a0\u00a0How are you going to affect those closest to you today: with giant-slaying faith or with debilitating fear?<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:54 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n54\u00a0<\/sup>David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 54: \u00a0Why did David take Goliath’s head to Jerusalem and bring Goliath’s weapons into his own tent?\u00a0 As reminders of the victories God let them experience and of God’s power that had delivered them. Likewise,\u00a0whenever God allows you to experience a faith victory, take a reminder of that victory home with you<\/strong>.\u00a0 Just like Joshua took stones from the Jordan River that God had parted, just as Miriam, Hannah, Moses and David would all write songs about how God had rescued them,\u00a0put up reminders of how God has been faithful to you\u00a0<\/strong>(maybe a photograph, a drawing, a song, a verse).\u00a0 Those reminders will strengthen your faith when you are discouraged and help you overcome the challenges you are facing today.<\/p>\n

1\u00a0Samuel\u00a017:55-58 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n55\u00a0<\/sup>As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” Abner replied, “As surely as you live, O king, I don’t know.”
\n56\u00a0<\/sup>The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”
\n57\u00a0<\/sup>As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.
\n58\u00a0<\/sup>“Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 55-58: \u00a0Saul does not recognize David.\u00a0 He has to ask three times, “Whose son is that?” \u00a0David replies, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” \u00a0Just as Jesse’s entire family would be blessed and set free because of their blood connection to David, all of us are blessed and set free because of our blood connection to Jesus<\/strong>\u00a0— the fact that Jesus’ blood has paid for all of our sins.<\/p>\n

Lord Jesus, thank You that because You are with me, I don’t need to procrastinate or delay.\u00a0 You are greater than every challenge I face today. Thank You that because of my blood connection to You, I am blessed, set free, empowered and able to do all things through Christ who gives me strength.\u00a0 May I move forward today with faith and watch giants fall at my feet in Jesus’ name.\u00a0 AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Samuel 17:41-58.\u00a0 As usual,\u00a0I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first.\u00a0 See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help. Then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n1 Samuel 17:41-43 (NIV)
\n41\u00a0\u00a0Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.
\n42\u00a0\u00a0He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.
\n43\u00a0\u00a0He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.<\/p>\n

On verses\u00a041-43a: \u00a0Goliath made fun of the weapons David brought to the battle.\u00a0 A similar thing happens when people of the world see God’s people praying, reading God’s Word and taking church seriously.\u00a0 They think, “What good will that do?” \u00a0Little do they know that our weapons have power that the things they trust in do not have: power to demolish strongholds, power to bring the most significant changes to people’s lives.\u00a0 As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33196"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33199,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33196\/revisions\/33199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}