1 Samuel 1:41-47 

 41 “So the Philistine [Goliath] came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” 

 

44 And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”” 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. 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.” 

 

Every man is limited by three things: 

- The knowledge in his mind

- The strength of his character

- The principle upon which he is building his life.

 

> Battles are won by knowledge, character, and principles, both spiritual and physical.

 

*2 Chronicles 16:9 * - “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou has done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”

 

What was King Asa’s foolishness? Rather than continued trust in God, he chose to put his trust in a man. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-9 - “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” 

 

 

Verse 46

1. Knowledge: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you align your thoughts with his. Know his will. Know who you are in Christ. Know the weapons and resources available to you. Know covenant rights and privileges.

 

Isaiah 55:9 - “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thought.

 

Verse 45 

2. Character: Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to be like Jesus. 

David submitted himself to the leadership of the Lord Almighty.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 - “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” 

 

> Nature of Christ as exemplified by David: A blend of courage and humility

 

II Chronicles 7:14 - “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”

 

Make Jesus your standard!

 

Verse 37 

3. Principle: Aligning your life with the Word of God. David aligned himself with God’s principles and purpose.

David came against Goliath “in the name of the Lord Almighty…”

 

John 15:7-8 - “If ye abide (remain, live) in me, and and my words abide in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”