QT 22 Oct 13, Don't be weighed down by the externals, focus on God

1 Sam 17:26, 31-37 (ESV) And David said to the men who stood by him, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" . . .

31 When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." 33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"

NOTE: This is still a story of perception. Everyone looks upon Goliath and measures themselves to him physically. David sees it differently. Goliath is defying the armies of the living God. David is genuinely angry. He sees it as reproach against Israel and against God. Saul sees David, a boy, probably around 17, and does not see the physical ability or training to stand up against Goliath, who has trained for war since youth. But David views Goliath no differently than a lion or bear which has taken a lamb. It is wrong and the wrong needs to be corrected. And even more importantly, if God who can deliver him from the lion and bear, God can surely deliver him from this Philistine. Surprisingly, Saul listens to the argument, and agrees with David. Clearly, David shows spark and vitality. And who knows what might happen? David seems to remind Saul of trust in God, and Saul blesses him. Does Saul remember him as the harpist? Possibly, since the men might not have brought David so quickly to Saul without some connection. On the other hand, the previous passage on David becoming Saul's armor bearer may have more to do with the big picture overview of Saul and David, and now we get into the details. In which case, this event may be the actual event that results in David becoming Saul's armor bearer.

The application is not to focus on the external things, but to look to God for solutions. He can do more than we can ever accomplish.