DCLM Higher Everyday 19 February 2024 — Tough Job For The Tough – 2
Topic: Tough Job For The Tough – 2
Text — 1 Samuel 17:32-41
32And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
34And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
Key Verse: “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword , and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied”
Message
When David told king Saul and his army that he was capable of fighting against Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, Saul discouraged him, saying that he was too young and inexperienced to take on Goliath, a veteran soldier. Indeed, David had no war experience like Goliath. So fighting him was a tough task. But he was also tough. By the time David finished narrating his experience with lions and bears and his faith in God for victory, Saul was convinced to let David fight Goliath. Experience, courage, and faith were on the side of David. He knew too that the Almighty God was with him. His Word says, “For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save thee” (Deuteronomy 20:4).
Dear friend, never see yourself as a weakling. Never fear a daunting situation or tough times in your life, family or nation. Remember, “Tough times never last but tough people do,” said Robert Schuller. David was ready to fight hard, smart and in faith to defeat Goliath. You too can.
Quote: Fight hard, smart, and in faith
Challenge: Be ready for tough jobs – they sometime will come.
Prayer for today: Oh God, make me tough in tough times, in Jesus name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
