If you intend to be successful in any area of life, sooner or later you are going to have to have to fight for it. I wish I could tell you that being intentional (a popular darling word) was enough. But it isn’t.
I wish I could prove to you that some simple formula – here a step, there a technique, everywhere a quick-and-easy procedure – would guarantee the fulfillment of your fondest hopes. Can’t do it.
I wish I could assure you that if it was really hard, or lonely, or dangerous, that the idea was certainly not God’s will. If that were true, the Almighty’s got some ‘slpainin’ to do with some people who are now in heaven.
But the truth is, sooner or later, you’re going to have to fight for your family. Or for your testimony. Or for your walk with God. Sooner or later you’re going to have to fight for answered prayer. Yes, answered prayer! Or the advancement of the gospel. Or the safety of one of the world’s most endangered species – American children.
Sometimes when you run to the battlefield you may discover that you are the only one standing there. You may find that you’re surrounded by taunting enemies, and for backup you have a bunch of gossips, critics and spectators – but nobody willing to draw a sword or raise a shield with you.
Still think that cause is worth the fight? David did.
In the familiar story of David and Goliath, the young man after God’s own heart – newly empowered and anointed by the Spirit of God – brought a giant to his knees while the army of the living God looked on in disbelief. What was the difference between David and the rest of the army of Israel? Didn’t they have the same power available to them? Yes. Didn’t they have the same God? Yes. So what did David have that they didn’t?
In the life of David, there was a difference in:
1. Company
When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear. (1 Samuel 17:24).
David hadn’t been surrounded with fear and discouragement for 40 days. Fear is contagious, and so is discouragement. If you are going to fight God’s battles with God’s power, you’d better pay careful attention to the company you keep. Not only should you avoid ungodly influences, I’m suggesting there are some Christians you shouldn’t hang out with.
2. Observation
Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel….” David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?” (v. 25-26).
David wasn’t intimidated by the size of his enemies. He had a difference in perspective. To everyone else, he was too big to hit. To David, he was too big to miss. Over and over again in the Bible, the people God used were those who were willing to see the situation from a different perspective.
3. Understanding
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? (v. 26).
David responded to a higher purpose. The army saw itself as Saul’s army. David saw them as the armies of the living God. The army saw a fight with Goliath as an opportunity to get wealth, prestige, and marriage in the king’s family. David saw it as a fight for God’s honor. Authentic victory requires a cause worth fighting for that reaches beyond personal gratification – something this generation has made an idol out of.
4. Reflection
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (v. 36-37).
David had never been trained in battle. But he received encouragement from past victories as a shepherd. His army buddies had the same opportunity to be encouraged, but didn’t take advantage of it.
This was the army of the God who had parted the Red Sea, but you didn’t hear anybody here talking about the Red Sea.
This was the army of the God of Joshua, who marched around Jericho seven times. But nobody mentioned Jericho.
This was the army of the God of Samson, who killed a thousand Philistine with a donkey’s jawbone, but nobody was talking about Samson.
One thing I know about you – you are not winless! And God wants to use your past victories to encourage you to fight again!
5. Assurance
David wasn’t discouraged by personal criticism. And it’s a good thing because like anybody who is willing to lay it all on the line, he had his share of it. His brother attacked his motives. The king questioned his experience. The giant laughed at his appearance – so much that he never pulled out his sword. None of that discouraged David – not even his judgmental big brother. If anything, his critics only increased his zeal.
6. Goals
“and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 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” 1 Samuel 17:46-47
The reason the vast majority of God’s army stayed away from the battlefield was that they had impotent goals. The same is true for you. They were fighting for the king, or for what was in it for them. Nice ideas, but not enough to stand up to a giant anything. David, on the other hand, was fighting for God’s glory and the faith of Israel. His eye was on the battlefield, but his heart was as big as the world.
7. Expectation
Nine times in one episode, David used the word, will. I will. The Lord will. Then all the world will. David honestly expected to win, because his confidence was in the Lord.
In the kingdom, there is a tendency for you to receive not what you deserve, or what you wish for, but exactly what you expect. Remember those haunting words of Jesus? “According to your faith be it unto you.” Or of Job? “That which I feared greatly has come upon me.” Right now, for better or worse, you are in the process of reaping your faith-driven expectations, no matter who or what your faith is actually in.
Look back over that list again. What was it David had that no one else did? C.O.U.R.A.G.E.
And where does courage come from?
- Company that encourages confidence in God.
- Observation that gives a God-sized perspective on circumstances.
- Understanding of Who it is you’re really fighting for.
- Reflection on the past victories as models for future success.
- Assurance in the face of personal criticism.
- Goals that as great as God’s glory and His love for the world.
- Expectation of ultimate victory.
Courage. Isn’t it time that you, in faith, dared to show a little? David had to start with a thick-headed, trash-talking giant. Who or what is defying you?