Usually what we learn today prepares you and me for our tomorrow. The battles you fight today, and the struggles you overcome today, they teach and prepare you and me for our tomorrow. It is very important to learn the lessons along the way.
This is why when I see someone who is on the mountaintop, someone that I consider successful and I admire, I know there are some lessons I can learn and pick up from them. When you see someone on the mountaintop today, if that someone was put there on top by GOD, believe it, that someone has gone through some sort of trial and tests that he or she had to overcome or else they wouldn’t have made it to the top. GOD has put that someone through real life training experience. With GOD, you really have to go through real life experiences in order to get promoted.
Many Born Again Christians know the story of king David and Goliath in the Bible. Let’s learn from David’s example in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 17.
David and Goliath
1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah.
2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.
3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.
5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels;
6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.
7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.
9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.”
10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel. Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old.
12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old.
13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah.
14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul,
15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.
16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp.
18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them.
19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.
20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.
21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other.
22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were.
23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.
24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”
26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living GOD?”
27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.
25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”
26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living GOD?”
27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.
31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,
35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.
36 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.
37 The LORD Who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.
39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.
40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.
42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him.
43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.”
45 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.
45 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.
46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, 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.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
49 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.
50 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.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. 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.
50 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.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. 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.
52 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.
53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.
55 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, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”
56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”
57 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.
58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.
55 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, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”
56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”
57 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.
58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
There was a war between Israelites and Philistines. So king Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. While they were waiting to battle, then Goliath, the champion of the Philistines army, their high ranking soldier, comes out between the lines and challenges the Israelites to send out a champion of their own and if he is able to fight and kill him, Philistines will become Israelites subjects; but if he overcomes him and kills him, Israelites will become Philistines subjects and serve them. This caused king Saul and all the Israelites to be dismayed and terrified. The Bible records that Goliath was a warrior, but also a giant. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.
Now, the Bible records that David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd to bring the food to his brothers as his father told him. So he left his things with the man to take care of them. He ran to the army, and went to meet with his brothers. As he talked with them, Goliath the Philistine from Gath came out of the army of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they ran away from him and were very much afraid. And then David said to the men standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away Israel’s shame? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine (who has not gone through the religious act of the Jews)? Who is he, that he should make fun of the armies of the Living GOD?” And the people answered him “The king will make the man who kills him rich. And he will give him his daughter, and make his father’s family free from paying taxes in Israel.”
Now, the Bible records that David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd to bring the food to his brothers as his father told him. So he left his things with the man to take care of them. He ran to the army, and went to meet with his brothers. As he talked with them, Goliath the Philistine from Gath came out of the army of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they ran away from him and were very much afraid. And then David said to the men standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away Israel’s shame? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine (who has not gone through the religious act of the Jews)? Who is he, that he should make fun of the armies of the Living GOD?” And the people answered him “The king will make the man who kills him rich. And he will give him his daughter, and make his father’s family free from paying taxes in Israel.”
So David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart become weak because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” But Saul doubt David and said he was only a young man, while Goliath has been a man of war since he was young, therefore David will not be able to fight against him. And then David said to Saul, don’t worry I have got this. And then he started recalling all the victories GOD has given him in the past, and said, “Your servant was taking care of his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and fought him and saved it from his mouth. When he came against me, I took hold of him by the hair of his head and hit him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. And this Philistine who has not gone through our religious act will be like one of them. For he has made fun of the armies of the Living GOD. The LORD Who saved me from the foot of the lion and from the foot of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Then Saul dressed David with his clothes. He put a brass head covering on his head, and dressed him with heavy battle clothes. And when David put on his sword over his heavy battle clothes and tried to walk, since he was not used to them, he told Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I am not used to them,” therefore he took them off. He took his stick (his staff) in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the river. He put them in his shepherd’s bag. His sling was in his hand.
And Goliath said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.” Goliath tried to intimidate David by belittling his weapons and also he cursed him by his goods. And released words of fear “I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.”
And Goliath said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.” Goliath tried to intimidate David by belittling his weapons and also he cursed him by his goods. And released words of fear “I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.”
Then David went to him and said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword and spears. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of All, The GOD of the armies of Israel, Whom you have stood against.” David didn't respond with fear but with faith and put his trust in GOD.
When we are facing challenges we should learn from king David of how he overcame Goliath. He was not afraid of his intimidation, he trusted GOD Who delivered him before from danger he experienced in the wilderness when he was tending his Father's sheep at Bethlehem that this same GOD will help him overcome this Goliath that was challenging him and the army of Israel during that time.
King David overcame Goliath by speaking words of truth about our GOD, and release this by faith. He released his faith and spoke the Word of GOD, “You come to me with a sword and spears. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of All, The GOD of the armies of Israel.”
Two of the full armor of GOD weapons that we need to put on are to speak and meditating on the Word of GOD and responding in Faith for the Righteous or the Just, shall live by faith. In the book of Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 to 18, it says that;
11 Put on the Whole Armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole Armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the Word of GOD;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
David knew he could overcome Goliath because of the lessons he learned through his past victories and experiences. He told Saul, when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and fought him and saved it from his mouth. When he came against me, I took hold of him by the hair of his head and hit him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. The LORD Who saved me from the foot of the lion and from the foot of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.
You and me today we get to read that story and get know this GOD, the GOD of Israel, the GOD of king David. Hallelujah.
And if you read the entire book of 1 Samuel chapter 17, the Bible records David defeated Goliath like he said.
David knew he could overcome Goliath because of the lessons he learned through his past victories and experiences. He told Saul, when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and fought him and saved it from his mouth. When he came against me, I took hold of him by the hair of his head and hit him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. The LORD Who saved me from the foot of the lion and from the foot of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.
But he also knew that his GOD, our GOD is faithful and can help him defeat his enemies. Some Bible Scholars said that it was the SPIRIT Of The LORD that helped David to defeat Goliath. When he threw the stone with his sling shot on Goliath's forehead, it was the HOLY SPIRIT who made Goliath weak and fall, so David could go and defeat him.
Another thing I like about David is that he asked for the reward. If he had to fight Goliath, he wanted to know what was going to be the reward. We learn also that some battles are not worth the fight. Not all battles are worth the fight and your time, so choose your battles wisely.
Many people know that David went on becoming the king and replaced king Saul. Some Bible scholars say Saul was chosen to lead the Israelites against their enemies, but when faced with Goliath he refused to do so, and because of that Saul was not fit to be king. It's not like Saul didn't have faith in GOD, he did. He told David “Go, and the LORD be with you.” Somehow Saul believed GOD will help David and will be with David, but not with him. May be because what prophet Samuel told him before about his kingship, and he felt rejected. It was GOD’S plan for David to replace Saul because David’s was GOD’S chosen and he was a man after GOD’S own heart. In the book of 1 Samuel chapter 13 verse 14, when king Saul didn't fully obey the instructions of the LORD because he was people pleaser, as result of his half obedience, GOD sent prophet Samuel to tell king Saul, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
Many people know that David went on becoming the king and replaced king Saul. Some Bible scholars say Saul was chosen to lead the Israelites against their enemies, but when faced with Goliath he refused to do so, and because of that Saul was not fit to be king. It's not like Saul didn't have faith in GOD, he did. He told David “Go, and the LORD be with you.” Somehow Saul believed GOD will help David and will be with David, but not with him. May be because what prophet Samuel told him before about his kingship, and he felt rejected. It was GOD’S plan for David to replace Saul because David’s was GOD’S chosen and he was a man after GOD’S own heart. In the book of 1 Samuel chapter 13 verse 14, when king Saul didn't fully obey the instructions of the LORD because he was people pleaser, as result of his half obedience, GOD sent prophet Samuel to tell king Saul, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
Another lesson is that our victories give GOD Glory. David told Goliath that the whole World will know that there is a GOD in Israel after he defeated Goliath that day. For the Battle is of the LORD.
He said, “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole World will know that there is a GOD in Israel. 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.”
You and me today we get to read that story and get know this GOD, the GOD of Israel, the GOD of king David. Hallelujah.
David and Goliath story is one of the Biblical examples that shows the lessons we learn in the valley are what prepare and propel you and me to and for our mountaintops experiences.
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