David, Champion for God’s people

Day 6, Feb 10th 2024

Text:   1 Samuel 17 (New Living Translation – NLT)

Introduction- 

David was the youngest of eight  sons of Jesse. He was an exceptional youth based on Biblical accounts. Looking at his personality, we can agree that he was an inquisitive, brave, intelligent, good-hearted, humble, loving, and a passionate person. He put God first and took things of God seriously in everything he did. David was always ready to defend what concerns God. Also, he was ready to put his life on hold to save others and please God. In this lesson, we’ll be looking at David as a youth, and what drives him to become the man he was. 

Life Lessons:

1. David as a shepherd boy (Living in obscurity – A forgotten child). David in many occasions, lived his life in hiding – in a state of being unknown to the public. He was  regarded as unimportant person, not taken seriously, and considered incapable of accomplishing what others could – that might be very debilitating. I believe some of us could identify with David; we have to proof ourselves over and over again to be accepted or taken seriously. 

2. He understood the times – David knew it was his time to come out of obscurity to limelight. 

• Be in tuned with the Holy Spirit – He gives insight to times and seasons.

3. Do not despise your small beginnings, they’re the experiences that prepare you for your day of battle – you need it to succeed.

4. Ignore discouragement and embrace encouragement – David overcame discouragement.

28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.

• At certain point in your life, you may encounter “a left alone moment,”  the question is, what will you do?

How to overcome discouragement

• Trust in the Lord 
• Believe in your God-giving ability
• Be in tuned with the Spirit of God (a Friend you can count on all the way –  You need His guidance to succeed). 
• Have a positive image of yourself; this in many instances, will be contrarily to how others may perceive you – that’s OK.

5. Do not fight on your enemies’ terms:

6. David was attracted to the rewards, but his focus was on pleasing God by defeating Goliath and taking away the reproach of the Philistine upon the people of Israel – Be motivated by the rewards, but let your priority be to please God.

^{1 Samuel 17:26} David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

7. Trust in the Lord and seek His approval and not acceptance of man (Jeremiah 17:5)

1. Samuel 17:38-40  

Put God above your challenges – Trust what the Lord can do, not what the enemy threatens to do to you; the enemy uses FEAR as a weapon to defeat the children of God – David didn’t allow what his eyes saw took his focus from God (Keep your eyes and focus on Jesus Christ – Peter walking on the water is a typical example)

(Jeremiah 17:5

Life applications

1. David as a shepherd boy (Living in obscurity – a forgotten child). 

You are not forgotten – It is not uncommon for some Parents to treat one of their children as David was treated, just because they don’t measure up to their siblings or other children out there – No two children are the same; they all have different talents and personalities. Unfortunately, this behavior is not peculiar to parent-child relationship alone, but common in every society. The product of this unjust treatment usually result in the victims feeling unworthy (suffer from low self-esteem), anger issues, trying very hard to proof themselves to earn the trust of their superior; this is not good – it’s unjust and ungodly. However, if you’re one of those mistreated and pushed into an obscured position as David was, remember, God knows where you are and when the time is right, He’ll bring you out into favor and blessings – crusades in the church; seating in the front; Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the inward appearance (Agamah). Many years ago, ….

2. Understand the times (1 Chronicles 12:32).

• Know when your opportunity comes – Be in tunned with the Holy Spirit

• David knew his time of opportunity to be blessed and he would not allow anything or anyone including his family to stand on his way – In otherwise, he told himself he was not going to remain a shepherded boy over those few sheep for the rest of his life. 
• Knowing your time and season, puts you in control – Understanding the times, puts you in control and command position – 1 Chronicles 12:32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

3. Do not despise your small beginnings: 

Small beginnings are great ways to prepare for bigger assignments. Zachariah 4:10a Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

1 Samuel 17:34-37

• Every experience counts – The difficulties and challenges you have encountered or will encounter in life are preparation for an important assignment and greater accomplishments.
• Remember, some of those things we call misfortunes could be blessings in disguise. 

4. Do not entertain discouragement – embrace encouragement:

Sometimes discouragements come from people close to us; it may be deliberate to take us off track, or it may be unintentional – Whichever form it takes, it could cause harm or irreparable damage. 

Discouragement – 1 Samuel 17:28  But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”

Encouragement:1 Samuel 17²⁹ “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!”(Avoid sharing your plans to people you know will discourage you from fulfilling your ambitions) ³⁰ He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. ³¹ Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him..

• Be careful whom you seek counsel from; the advice may sound as well-wish but could derail from your goals.
•  Stick with the Holy Spirit, because He has been tested, proven, and can never go wrong. 
• Do not seek approval of men – Let God approves you.
• Encourage yourself in the Lord when no one else will – At a point in your life, you may encounter “a left alone moment,”  the question is, what will you do?

^{1Samuel 30:6} David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

5. Do not fight on your enemies’ terms:

• Israel allowed their enemies (Goliath) to determine the terms and conditions of the battle – Wrong! Thank God David understood the time and season (He followed the directions of the Holy Spirit – it may sound or look foolish but brethren, the Holy Spirit can never lead you to failure or defeat). 

6. Attracted by the rewards but focus is on pleasing God.  1 Samuel 17:6  “David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

• David was attracted by the rewards, but his focus was on pleasing God; removing the reproach Goliath and his people (The Philistines) put upon the people of Israel Be motivated by the rewards, but let your priority be on pleasing God.

7. Trust in the Lord and seek His approval – not man’s acceptance. (Psalm 146:3)

Trust in the Lord; do not trust in names or your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path – As humans, we are limited in power and resources, and could easily fail or disappoint, but God is Almighty and able to do all things –  Luke 1:37. 1 Samuel 17:38

8. Know who and whose you are – David knew whose he was – The Almighty God.

The prodigal son knew who he was but forgotten whose he was until he came to the realization that his father is a wealthy man with many hired servants, then and only he packed his luggage and headed home – He became broke and destitute because he has forgotten who his father was.

• Even though David was disregarded, ignored, not taken seriously, and possibly forgotten, but one thing he got going for him is, he has not forgotten whose he was. “DO YOU KNOW WHOSE SON OR DAUGHTER YOU ARE?” Is a constant reminder of whose you are – Whose you are defines who you are. 

Lesson of the Day

1. Choose your battle wisely by seeking direction from the Holy Spirit. 
2. Know that God will never forget you.
3. Understand the times (know when it’s your time).
4. Do not belittle your humble beginning.
5. Ignore discouragement and seek encouragement.
6. Be attracted by the rewards but focus on pleasing God.
7. Seek God’s approval and not man’s acceptance.
8. Put God above your challenges – Depend on God’s Power (The Holy Spirit) and He will lead you to victory.

Complied by:  Charles Kretsi