DAVID VS GOLIATH

Hi Everyone! I apologize for the late post. I had some family stuff come up that needed my attention.

The scripture reference (from our EHS Workbook)is I Sam 17:26-45. In this famous story, the army of Israel faces the great army of the Philistines. For forty days, Goliath, described as nine feet tall and dressed in powerful weaponry, challenges any Israelite soldier to come out and fight him. When the Israelites saw him, however, "they all ran from him in great fear." The story begins after David hears, for the first time, Goliath's humiliating challenge to Israel's army.

Read I Sam 17:26-45 and answer the questions below.

#1) What question does David ask after hearing Goliath's challenge? (vs 26)

#2) What are some of the challenges, accusations, and messages David is getting from the people around him: From David's family (Vs 28), From Saul (vs 33,38) From Goliath(vs 41-45)

#3) What feelings might you be experiencing if you were David? For example, what feelings might you have towards your sibling? Towards a person in authority over you like Saul? Towards a Goliath.

#4) How does David live out his true self against the powerful forces and pressures that seek to mold him into someone he is not?

DEBRA'S COMMENTS: Before this confrontation with Goliath, David spent many years tending his father's sheep. During his wilderness experience, two things happened. First, David honed his skills as a warrior, protecting his sheep. Second, he came to intimately know his heavenly Father. Both of these things contributed towards his attitude towards Goliath (see vs 36-37, 45). Another important thing that happened during David's wilderness experience is that he had a lot of time to examine his own heart and get things straightened around before this moment. For example, he had been anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel, and here he was still tending sheep.

When the time for the confrontation came, David held onto his faith in spite of those around him; even his own brothers were against him. (vs 28) Satan loves to come and rob us of our faith, any way he can. So not only do we have to hold onto our faith, and fight the good fight, so to speak, but we also have to examine our own hearts and determine if there is something we are holding onto that is keeping us from exercising faith. It could be a buried emotion, a bad experience that we had, or something else that undermines our faith. Any place in our hearts that is not healed and not open to the light of the Lord is an area where the enemy can shipwreck our faith. God is never surprised by what's in our hearts. All He wants to do is forgive us our sins and heal us, but He can't do that until we open ourselves up to Him.

After you've had a chance to look at these questions and think about them, please feel free to comment, either by answering the questions or posting your comments related to this discussion. I look forward to hearing from you!