This is Part 2 in a lesson from David as it pertains to anxiety. Part 1 is here
1 Samuel 17
So we saw yesterday that the Israelites were paralysed by fear to even stand up and fight the battle. They were easily placed into fear by 2 things:
– “things which are seen” (2 Cor 4:18) which was Goliath’s massive stature (a massive worry, task or problem etc.) and
– words (thoughts of a disease, thoughts of feeling hopeless, thoughts that you will never cope with the stress today, thoughts that something bad will happen etc.)
Now we see another angle pop into the picture. David. And he brings a fresh perspective into fighting a battle because of his heart and attitude.
Note the Bible refers to Goliath as a ‘champion’ (v4). This is not a compliment, but the word champion comes from the Hebrew word “a middle man; the man between two.” So Goliath was the man who stood between Israel and the Philistines as a representative of his army. He did a pretty good job at it if we want to admit.
BUT we have our own Representative/Champion on our WINNING side – and that is JESUS! (1 Tim 2:5) David knew this all too well and it is what gave him the ability to stand up to this giant. This is exactly why God said David was ‘a man after his own heart’ (1 Sam 13:14). This is because David did not look at the battle in fleshly terms, but rather in spiritual terms- he cared what God cared about. The size never bothered him and Goliath’s words and threats never bothered him…because he knew God was with him. God was his Champion.
We all know how the story ends, but more importantly let us compare the difference between the Israeli army’s attitude and David’s- we can clearly see the how and why he was able to win this giant of a battle:
| Israel’s response | David’s response |
| They focused on the danger/difficulty of the battle (size of the problem and negative words in their ears) | David focused on Israel’s reputation and God’s honour (“who is this…that he should defy the armies of the living God?”) |
| Referred to Goliath as “this man” (v25) | David referred to Goliath as “this uncircumcised Philistine” (v26). He was just an enemy that had to be defeated. End of story. |
| No faith – “Surely he has come up to defy Israel!” (v25) | David thought it absurd that an enemy of God should even dare to “defy the armies of the Living God” |
| Focused on the material rewards for the battle- “the man who kills him…the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.” (v25) | David focused on what God cared about and what was lying with God’s heart- “the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel” (v26) |
Meditate on how Jesus is our Champion today. We can never be our own Champion- Jesus paid the price on the cross to take that role from us. He stands between you and the problem…if you will let Him! This means letting go control. Think about the issues, anxieties and thoughts that stifle you. How can you allow Jesus to play champion in those areas?
Meditate on the differences between Israel’s perspective and attitude and David’s. In which army do you lie? Write down your issues, worries and anxieties individually and how you currently handle them and think about them. See where and how they match up with Israel’s thinking. How can you shift them over to David’s winning side by seeing them from a spiritual perspective? Remember, we need to care about what God cares about, and He does not want us anxious.
Verses:
“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor 4:18
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?7 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Matt 6:25-27
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Phil 4:6
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:5
“The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” 1 Sam 13:14
Make It Glad 