With You in The Battle: Victory Brings Glory to God – 5 Smooth Stones, part 4
Need to experience victory? Whatever you’re facing, victory is just ahead. This message explores keys to a victorious life and how God is with you in the battle. David’s victory brings glory to God, and so can you.
God has a plan for your life. The plan does not include defeat, but total victory. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own natural understanding. Move forward in faith and victory in Christ. Your victory, your testimony will inspire others to take up the spiritual battle for the glory of God and it will cause the enemy to run.
God is with you in past victories and today’s battles.
David: The Heart of a Victorious Spiritual Warrior
We have already looked at 1 Samuel 17:1-40. Today we will be looking at verses 40-54. This is the part of the story that everyone has been waiting for: David defeats Goliath!
The good guy is victorious, and God receives the glory.
‘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. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head’ (1 Samuel 17:40-46a, NIV).
David battles Goliath in the name of the Lord Almighty. Goliath looks at David’s outward appearance and only sees a boy, but David had a heart of a victorious spiritual warrior. David believed the Lord would bring him victory. David defends the name of the Lord against Goliath’s defiance.
‘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.”’ (1 Samuel 17:46b-47).
David knew victory over Goliath and the Philistine army would proclaim to the world that there is a God in Israel.
“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” (1 Samuel 17:48-49).
Notice that we are told Goliath fell face down on the ground but we are not told that Goliath is dead. David battled Goliath with the same weapons he used when battling the lion and bear in past victories.
“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” (1 Samuel 17:50-51a).
There is no chance of Goliath being alive after David cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword. David’s battle with Goliath was now finished. Total victory was accomplished when David cut off Goliath’s head, and this is when the enemy turns and runs. It is also the time when the Israelite army finds the courage to move forward and battle the enemy.
Your victory will encourage others to join the battle against the enemy.
“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” (1 Samuel 17:51b-54).
David is well prepared to confront the Philistine giant Goliath. This is because David had all he needed to be victorious:
David’s heart was full of faith and hope in God Almighty.
David loved God and he fully trusted God Almighty.
David knew God had delivered him from the mouth of the lion and the bear.
He also believed God could and would deliver him from the mouth of this Philistine giant of a warrior, Goliath.
David refused to argue or listen to all the negative talk, including that of his brother.
David looked at the situation, not merely with his physical eyes. He looked at the situation with his spiritual eyes and realized victory over Goliath was possible with God and it would bring glory to God.
Spiritual victory will renew faith and hope in the hearts of others and inspire them to fight the battle that is before them.
Past Victories Bring Faith and Courage
David trusted in God and in the weapons he used to defeat the lion and bear as a simple shepherd boy. David knew God was with him each time he faced the lion and bear. David chose not to use Saul’s armor or his sword. David chose not to use earthly weapons of war. He was not going to use what others thought he should use because he was unfamiliar with them, and he was unable to move freely in Saul’s armor. David moved forward, clothed only in his shepherd’s wardrobe that he always wore. Trusting in God to defend and deliver him from the mouth of the Philistine.
David moved forward in faith, and he did not shrink back or run from the enemy when Goliath advanced and threatened him. David viewed Goliath as someone who defied God and the army of the living God. David knew in his heart that Goliath was no match for God. Goliath talked big but God is all powerful.
David drew his faith and courage from past victories God had given him. David believed God would use him to defeat the enemy and that the battle was the Lord’s. David also believed God would receive all the glory and that the whole world would know that there is a God in Israel.
The Victory is Yours When You Allow God to Be God
Once Goliath went down, David cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword. Removing any idea that Goliath survived his fall. The prized warrior of the Philistine army was dead, and that truth gave rise to both a physical and spiritual victory that day.
God used David to bring faith and hope alive once again in the hearts of others and to bring about a spiritual victory that glorified God and for all the world to see. The Lord will use you to do the same as you live for the Lord and focus your faith hope and deep spiritual conviction in God Almighty. Understand, you lack nothing with regards to being able to defeat the enemy when you allow God to be God in your situation. You can face overwhelming odds and be victorious in Christ the Lord. Faith in Christ is the victory.
Let me encourage you to:
Stand firm in faith and the power of his might.
Stand firm in the hope of eternal life.
Stand firm in the grace and mercy of God.
Live your life for the glory of God.
Keep Your Faith & Hope Focussed on Christ - Victory is Just Ahead
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior” (Titus 1:1-3).
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).
Does your faith and knowledge of the truth rest on the hope of eternal life? Oh, certainly your faith is in Jesus, but does your faith and hope rest on your knowledge that you will one day be with Jesus in glory?
Do you understand that this promise of God was before the beginning of time itself?* Can you agree that the grace of God calls us, calls you, to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions while you wait for the blessed hope that God promised to all who believe? The Apostle Paul told Titus that the victory was already won. It was won at the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection is proof of the victory. Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions while we wait for the blessed hope we have in Christ.
Whatever you may be facing today, know that victory is just ahead.
God has a plan for your life. The plan does not include defeat, but total victory. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own natural understanding. Move forward in faith and victory in Christ.
Trust God Through The Trial
In Genesis, we see that Joseph was mistreated by his brothers, Potiphar’s wife, and Pharaoh’s cupbearer. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet Joseph lived his life above reproach, and he trusted God even after years of suffering as a slave. After all that, Joseph could tell his brothers not to be afraid.
‘But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them’ (Genesis 50:19-21).
Like Joseph, like David, we can experience times of suffering and pain. We may face impossible situations but always trust the Lord. What the enemy intends to do by using doubts, threats and attacks, God will use to accomplish his purpose. God will receive the glory as you overcome negative attitudes and spiritual attacks as you focus your faith and hope on God Almighty.
David had a passion for the glory of God. Joseph had a passion to live a set apart life unto God Almighty. What are you passionate about?
In Jim George’s book titled The Remarkable Prayers of the Bible, he said this: “Without a passion for something, you drift aimlessly through life. Much like a ship without a rudder.” That is so true. I’ve heard a saying that goes something like “without a goal, you will always hit it.” In other words, without a goal or passion you will achieve nothing. David’s goal and passion of defending the name and honor of God Almighty was achieved when Goliath was defeated.
3 Keys to a Victorious Life
1: Spiritual Victory Will Send the Enemy Away Running
When the Philistines saw that their warrior was defeated by David, they all turned and ran. The Philistine’s hope was in Goliath. In a ma, in Goliath’s outward physical ability. David’s strength was deep in his heart and his faith, hope, and trust was in God Almighty. Sure, we can have some trust in people, but never allow your trust in a person to overshadow your faith and trust in God.
Trust the Lord first. Look first to the Lord. Understand a person may let you down, but not the Lord.
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
This is exactly what David did. He stood up against Goliath in the name of the Lord and Goliath was defeated. Then the Philistine army turned and ran. Spiritual victory will always cause the enemy to run, however the battle is not fully over until Christ returns.
The Israelite army rose in faith when they saw Goliath defeated. Understand your victory, your testimony will inspire others to take up the spiritual battle for the glory of God and it will cause the enemy to run. The enemy of your soul is defeated at the cross, but you will still experience some skirmishes until Christ returns.
But have no doubt of victory. The battle is already won. Step out in faith. Trust the Lord. Do spiritual battle with spiritual weapons, not earthly weapons. Pray, stand on the word of God, give God the glory, trust god with all your heart and always move forward in faith.
Thew enemy will turn and run as you do battle in the spirit and call on the name of the Lord. The enemy is defeated. Spiritual victory will put the enemy on the run.
2: Victory Gives God the Glory
It would have been easy for David’s ego to become puffed up because he defeated Goliath. However, David knew the victory was only because of God. David understood that the battle was the Lord’s and by the grace of God Goliath was defeated.
Never think you are the one to bring about the victory in your own strength. Yes, God may use a certain ordinary person of faith, but God is the reason for the victory and for that we give God all the glory. Psalms 60:12 and 108:13 record these words: “With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).
With God’s help you will do mighty things. Have faith and trust God. Give him all the glory. Do you believe this to be true in your life? If so, stop trying to fight spiritual battles in your own strength. Do not get distracted or think that by your ability you won the victory. Instead, like David, pray this prayer:
“Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. 13 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies” (Psalm 108:12-13).
Remember, victory gives God the glory.
3: Victory Requires Us to Finish the Job
We should never leave the battle unfinished. David finished his battle by cutting off the head of Goliath. The Israelite army rose up and defeated the Philistine army and with victory comes a reward. The Israelites defeated the Philistines and took as a reward all that the philistines left behind in their camp. David took Goliath’s weapons and placed them in his tent.
So often, we ask God for help in a certain situation in life and then we stop short of the victory. We need to finish the race and do what needs to be done to experience victory. Do not stop short of total victory.
David’s victory over Goliath is what broke the Israelite standoff with the Philistine army. God gave the Israelites opportunity to move forward to victory, but they also had to finish the job in front of them. They needed to defeat the Philistine army.
We cannot afford to stop short of finishing the job either. It’s easy to start or get things almost finished. It is easy to start something but to finish it takes true commitment to the finish.
Growing up we had several projects going on around the house at the same time. Each was almost finished. The project was finished to a point but not totally complete. The repair was made but the project was not 100% finished and another project took priority for a time. Soon we had several nearly finished projects. It is difficult to battle the enemy on many fronts. Fight the enemy one battle at a time until it is finished.
Just think for a moment about where we would be today if Jesus would have stopped short. “Sorry, Father. The cross just looks a little too painful. I know you said it would bring freedom for all people, but I think I’m going to stop here… I think I’m going to leave it almost done.” If that had been Jesus’ attitude, we would have zero reason to be here today. Thankfully, Jesus did complete his mission and with full confidence he was able to say on the cross, “It is finished.”
What Should We Take Away from This Series?
With God, nothing is impossible.
God works through ordinary people.
Have faith, hope, and trust in God. Understand you have all you need for victory when you have the Lord.
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.
Partial obedience is not obedience.
Obedience and a humble heart for God leads to spiritual victory.
God is with you both in past victories and today’s battles.
Dependence on God is required in every situation.
David’s dependence upon God continued throughout his life, with a few exceptions. Could David have accomplished all he did without God? Certainly not.
The story of David, and of others throughout scripture are stories of God using ordinary, improbable people to accomplish extraordinary things. God does this so there is no question as to who is responsible for the victory. God and God alone.
Do you need to experience victory in your life? Stop trying to manufacture the victory on your own or in your own strength. Have faith and hope in the Lord and remember the battle is the Lord’s.
You may face another Goliath in your life. But know that as you walk in faith with the Lord, victory is certain.
My prayer for you is that you can say like the apostle Paul:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
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