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I SAMUEL 17:36-37

"THE GIANT KILLER"

Intro: Much said about David's conquest of giant. David's word battle with brothers
       and king more trying ordeal than fighting giant. More trouble with depressing
       influence of friends. Eliab chided, David answered with few choice words and
       turned away. David restrained himself from provocation thus greater than men
       who tax a city. Saul "thou art a youth" - David "let no man's heart fail because
       of him."

I. RECOLLECTIONS vs. 36, 37, SOME HAVE SHORT MEMORIES - WRITE  VICTORIES IN DUST AND
   FAILURES IN MARBLE.
        A. No matter what present trial may be, have been tried before.
                1. Lion rushed on flock - ordeal did not destroy him.
                2. He had encountered danger in course of duty.
                        a. Path of duty not without peril.
        B. He had been tried frequently. Not lion only but bear.
                1. Trials of different sorts.
                2. Our brushes with enemy.
                3. Jesus our captain delivered us, He is still with us.
        C. He had risked his life to prosecute his duty.
                1. When lion entered fold and took hold of lamb.
                2. Remember when you took no thought of what you would lose to
                   follow Christ?
        D. He had gone alone into the contest.
                1. The enemy was a lion - a dozen men might be too few.
                2. Stepped out alone - those who could have helped predicted disaster.
        E. David had nothing visible to rely upon, simply trust in God.
                1. "If God be for us who can be against us?"
                2. Casting ourselves upon invisible power of God.
                3. Is it possible that we now must rely on means and methods and
                   plans instead of God?
        F. David recalled that tactics were natural, vigorous.
                1. Just used what he had at hand.
                2. Did not consult committee of lion killers.
                3. Did not encumber himself with rules.
        G. Through confidence in God he had victory.
                1. He talked of these deeds reluctantly.
                2. Sole motive now to glorify God.
                3. Lay stress on God's enabling's not our doings.
                4. Never rehearse as reason for resting on laurels.

II. THE REASONINGS - IF I ACT AGAINST THIS GIANT THROUGH FAITH IN GOD  AS I DID THE
    LION, GOD IS THE SAME, THE RESULTS WILL BE THE SAME.
        A. David saw the situations as parallel.
                1. The flock was defenseless against lion.
                2. God's flock defenseless, too.
                3. Philistine represented brute force - lion.
        B. Our fault we fail to draw parallel.
                1. We think of this as new case.
                        a. We magnify differences "I killed a lion."
                        b. "I was younger then."
                        c. "I didn't know any better than just to trust."
                2. We think of early deeds as something to be wondered at rather
                   than repeated now.
                3. "I slew a lion and a bear let someone else have their turn now."
        C. We frame excuses out of opinions of others.
                1. Elieb is right, I am more fitted for music.
                2. Plenty of cowardly counsel to be found.

III. THE RESULTS.
        A. David felt he should rely on God alone.
                1. Lay Saul's armor aside, "The Lord saveth not with sword or  spear."
                2. Bound by rules, regulations, red tape, committees.
                        a. Church so weighted down with armor not killing any giants
                           any more.
        B. Risk everything upon God.
        C. Ultimate result he came back with the head of the giant.
        171 Faith is the True Victory.