WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.300 --> 00:00:07.100 Grace, mercy, and peace, be unto you from God, our Father and our 2 00:00:07.100 --> 00:00:09.600 Lord, and Savior Jesus, the Christ. 3 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:17.100 The text for today's sermon is the account of David versus Goliath, 4 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:18.200 which you just heard. 5 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:23.000 David versus Goliath. 6 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:28.100 What comes to mind when you hear about those two? 7 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:31.600 Is it a little Shepherd boy 8 00:00:31.700 --> 00:00:35.500 who defeats this giant sized warrior? 9 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:41.100 The ultimate underdog who pulled off an incredible victory? 10 00:00:42.500 --> 00:00:46.700 A Bible hero whom God gave superpowers? 11 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:52.900 These are kind of like the images I had of David and Goliath 12 00:00:52.900 --> 00:00:56.000 as a little boy, reading an Arch book. 13 00:00:57.200 --> 00:01:03.700 I grew up imagining David defeating giants and able to accomplish 14 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:05.400 amazing feats. 15 00:01:07.300 --> 00:01:11.400 Well that view of the story as much as I loved 16 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:16.800 it didn't really make David an example that I could follow. 17 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.400 He had these miraculous powers. 18 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:25.300 These abilities from the Lord, I could maybe, you know, fantasize 19 00:01:25.300 --> 00:01:30.800 about that, but it wasn't something I could really see myself doing. 20 00:01:32.800 --> 00:01:34.300 But now many years later 21 00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:39.100 after digging more deeply into this text. 22 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:44.000 I have a different perspective on David vs Goliath. 23 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:54.200 This is a shall I say more nuanced understanding but it has an application 24 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:56.100 that I was missing before. 25 00:01:57.800 --> 00:02:02.200 And this different understanding of the story is what I want to share 26 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:06.000 with you and I hope that you find it helpful as well. 27 00:02:07.300 --> 00:02:10.800 You just heard the essential parts read over here by Owen. 28 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:13.400 Well, here's a brief recap. 29 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:18.800 The Philistine and Israelite armies were assembled for battle on 30 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:22.200 opposite ridges of a valley. Everyday 31 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:28.500 this huge warrior Goliath of Gath came forward shouting challenges, 32 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:30.800 and threats against Israel. 33 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:37.200 He called for an opponent to come and fight him in a death match and 34 00:02:37.200 --> 00:02:39.100 he said, whoever wins the match 35 00:02:39.100 --> 00:02:41.100 his army will be the Victor. 36 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:43.800 Not sure where he had the authority to say that, but he did. 37 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:50.100 And everybody on the loser side would become the slaves of the 38 00:02:50.100 --> 00:02:50.900 victors. 39 00:02:52.600 --> 00:02:57.500 Well, the men of Israel including King Saul himself, which if you 40 00:02:57.500 --> 00:02:59.400 believe some of the variance was kind 41 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:03.000 of comparable in size, but we won't go into that today. 42 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:06.800 They were all intimidated by Goliath. 43 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:09.700 And no one step forward. 44 00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:16.800 Well, David was not involved at first. As the youngest in his family 45 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:20.300 he had the job of tending, the sheep of the family. 46 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:27.500 But he was assigned to take provisions, to the Army, to his brothers, 47 00:03:27.600 --> 00:03:28.800 on the front line. 48 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:35.700 And when he did, he overheard these threats coming from Goliath. 49 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:42.400 Threats against the army of Israel, and David was dismayed that no one 50 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.700 was willing to take on Goliath. 51 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:51.400 And what was particularly troubling to David was how Goliath was 52 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:57.900 mocking the armies of the Lord of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 53 00:03:59.700 --> 00:04:05.700 David was not afraid of Goliath, when he saw the fear of his people, 54 00:04:05.700 --> 00:04:09.400 David was moved to take on the challenge. 55 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:12.900 Well, Saul the king of Israel. 56 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:20.000 Got word of David's willingness to fight and initially he was 57 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.300 skeptical. Skeptical 58 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:27.800 that this young Shepherd boy could match up against a mighty warrior. 59 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:31.800 But David wasn't intimidated. 60 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:34.600 He had experience. 61 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:36.400 Maybe we should call him a young man 62 00:04:36.400 --> 00:04:37.600 not a young boy. 63 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:43.400 He had experience defending his flock against lions and bears. 64 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:50.500 And he made a strong case to Saul and Saul was persuaded that 65 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:52.800 he should let David give this a try. 66 00:04:54.400 --> 00:05:00.200 Well, he gave David his armor and his sword wanting to be helpful and 67 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:01.800 David gave it a try. 68 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:08.200 He put it on but then he declined saying I have not tested these. 69 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:14.100 You see David had experience using his own materials and it would be 70 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:18.200 too risky to try something else at this point. 71 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:23.600 So David set out to take on Goliath using his own weapon. 72 00:05:24.700 --> 00:05:29.200 And we know what that was a sling with a stone. 73 00:05:30.700 --> 00:05:36.400 We also know that Goliath had very thick armor and a large 74 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:41.500 spear, and other weapons to go along with his own, very large size. 75 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:47.700 But again, David was not afraid as he approached Goliath. 76 00:05:49.200 --> 00:05:55.000 As this large warrior threatened and cursed, David. David confidently 77 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:59.600 replied, I come in the name of the Lord whom you 78 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:01.700 defied. Yahweh 79 00:06:01.700 --> 00:06:04.000 will deliver you into my hand 80 00:06:04.200 --> 00:06:05.900 for the battle is his. 81 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:12.600 David then quickly went to work and slung a stone. 82 00:06:12.900 --> 00:06:18.000 That went deep into the Philistines forehead, Goliath fell to the 83 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:22.200 ground and David took his sword and cut off his head. 84 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:29.000 The men of Philistia seeing their champion defeated fled and the men 85 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:33.600 of Israel inspired by David pursued and overtook them. 86 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:42.600 Again, notice throughout the story, David did not lack confidence in 87 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:46.400 facing what the others thought was too much. 88 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:46.800 Too 89 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.000 dangerous, too frightening. 90 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:54.900 Well, there are two chief reasons for David's confidence. 91 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:58.900 One, is that David trusted in the Lord 92 00:06:58.900 --> 00:07:00.800 and this is absolutely crucial. 93 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:07.300 The other is that David had confidence in his ability in his 94 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:12.600 experience and that is significant in applying the meaning of this 95 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:16.300 passage to us as I will explain. 96 00:07:17.200 --> 00:07:22.400 But first consider how the promises of the Lord gave David confidence. 97 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:27.300 It was recorded a couple of chapters earlier and we heard it here in 98 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:33.500 this chapter, in this Chapel, that God had chosen David to be the next 99 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:34.700 king of Israel. 100 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:37.900 He would eventually replace Saul. 101 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.200 And he was chosen, why? 102 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.500 Because he was so big. 103 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.700 No, because he trusted in the Lord. 104 00:07:47.700 --> 00:07:52.200 The point is very clear in the account of his anointing that it was 105 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:55.700 because his heart trusted in the Lord that he was chosen. 106 00:07:56.700 --> 00:08:01.700 And we see this reflected in many places in scripture, including in 107 00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:06.200 Psalms, like Psalm, 57 hear what David wrote. 108 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:10.000 I cry out to the Lord, most high to the God 109 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.300 fulfills his purpose for me. 110 00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:15.700 He will send from heaven and save me. 111 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:19.000 He will put to shame him who tramples on me. 112 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:24.000 God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness. 113 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:27.900 My soul is in the midst of lions. 114 00:08:28.200 --> 00:08:29.500 I lie down amid 115 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:30.000 fiery 116 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.900 beasts. 117 00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:35.400 The children of men whose teeth are spears and arrows whose tongues 118 00:08:35.400 --> 00:08:36.799 are sharp swords. 119 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:42.900 But be exalted O God above the heavens, let your glory be over the 120 00:08:42.900 --> 00:08:43.400 Earth. 121 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:45.600 My heart is steadfast 122 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:46.500 O God. 123 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:51.800 You see David trusted in the Lord to deliver his people. 124 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:57.700 And that leads to the second reason, David had no fear in facing 125 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:58.500 Goliath. 126 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:05.800 David's calm confidence in the Lord enabled him to see that his 127 00:09:06.400 --> 00:09:13.700 God-given natural abilities and practiced skills were up to the task. 128 00:09:15.400 --> 00:09:19.400 Unlike other biblical accounts that reveal God's miraculous 129 00:09:19.400 --> 00:09:22.400 intervention in the lives of his people. 130 00:09:23.400 --> 00:09:29.800 This story is not about a superhuman physical feat, but rather about 131 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:31.100 David's faith. 132 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:37.200 And then the use of ordinary skills for the task at hand. 133 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.800 Let me say that again. 134 00:09:39.400 --> 00:09:43.700 This is about faith, not superpowers. 135 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:49.900 This is about confidence in the Lord and the freedom that gives to use 136 00:09:49.900 --> 00:09:50.300 ones 137 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.700 normal abilities. 138 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.400 Think about it. 139 00:09:55.100 --> 00:10:00.000 David's trust in the Lord keeps him calm, even when he is feeling 140 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.700 pressure. 141 00:10:00.900 --> 00:10:04.900 And so he is able to accurately assess the situation. 142 00:10:06.400 --> 00:10:10.200 This leads him to determine that as an accurate sling 143 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:10.900 thrower 144 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:15.200 he has a good chance against someone with a heavy spear and armor. 145 00:10:15.900 --> 00:10:17.100 He's not very mobile. 146 00:10:18.400 --> 00:10:23.900 As long as there is an opening for a stone to hit his opponent in a 147 00:10:23.900 --> 00:10:25.300 vulnerable place. 148 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:28.000 He could see himself doing this. 149 00:10:29.400 --> 00:10:34.700 You see slingers like archers work with lighter weapons, but in 150 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:39.200 ancient battles, they were no less deadly because of their 151 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:40.000 accuracy. 152 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:44.000 We know Slingers are key players in these battles. 153 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.400 Like in judges, 20 154 00:10:45.400 --> 00:10:49.900 we read, "among Benjamite warriors were 700, chosen 155 00:10:49.900 --> 00:10:52.800 Men, who were left-handed, why, left-handed 156 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:57.500 I'm not sure everyone could sling a stone at a hare 157 00:10:57.500 --> 00:11:02.300 a rabbit, and not miss. A very small, quick animal. 158 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:07.900 And in first Chronicles 12, we read among the mighty men who helped 159 00:11:07.900 --> 00:11:09.000 David in war 160 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.200 we're fighters who sling 161 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:14.000 stones with either the right or the left hand. 162 00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:18.800 And we know a little bit about these weapons. 163 00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:23.600 We know that these stones were typically the size of baseballs. 164 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:27.900 And they weighed about a pound is the estimate. 165 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:32.900 We also know that they were probably thrown about a hundred miles an 166 00:11:32.900 --> 00:11:34.500 hour by a good Slinger. 167 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:39.900 Now, if you think about it, a baseball ways, what weighs, about a 168 00:11:39.900 --> 00:11:44.000 third of a pound. Imagine getting hit in the head by a professional 169 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.900 baseball player with a baseball. 170 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:50.400 Now, imagine getting hit in the head at the same speed and same 171 00:11:50.400 --> 00:11:55.000 velocity with a stone, weighing three times that amount. 172 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:59.800 Yeah, that's could be very much 173 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.500 lethal. 174 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:04.700 And it's important to note that no one questioned David's ability to 175 00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:05.500 do what he said 176 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:08.700 he was doing and protecting his sheep. 177 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:13.800 He defeated these lions and bears with this equipment and so it's 178 00:12:13.800 --> 00:12:18.900 reasonable to think that Goliath would be no more difficult to subdue 179 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:21.500 then they. Again 180 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.500 think about it. 181 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:28.000 Oh, there's one more thing to realize here and we can imagine this. 182 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:33.400 David had an advantage because of Goliath's arrogance. 183 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:40.500 His pride, blinded him to the threat, that this young and nimble 184 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:42.400 Slinger posed in battle. 185 00:12:43.300 --> 00:12:45.000 He had armor sure. 186 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:51.800 But as we said, all David needed was an opening on Goliath's head, and 187 00:12:51.800 --> 00:12:53.100 he obviously had that. 188 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:59.400 Well, the account of the actual contest in the scriptures, require 189 00:12:59.400 --> 00:13:00.700 only a few words. 190 00:13:01.400 --> 00:13:04.900 It was quickly completed in a matter of seconds. 191 00:13:05.900 --> 00:13:07.800 It was really no contest 192 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:11.400 because David, in fact, had the superior position. 193 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:16.100 And by the way, I checked this out with David Adams who did 194 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:17.900 archaeological work on this site. 195 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:24.200 What was key was that David was not intimidated by the threats. 196 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:30.600 It was his faith in the Lord that enabled him to meet this giant sized 197 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:34.000 challenge and effectively use his skills. 198 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:42.200 So now reading this text today, as opposed to, when I was a young lad, 199 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:48.000 I draw strength and hope from it in a renewed way. I no longer see 200 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.400 David as a superhero 201 00:13:50.400 --> 00:13:55.700 but as one who trusted in the Lord to provide for him. 202 00:13:56.900 --> 00:14:01.400 This confidence enabled him to use his natural abilities to carry out 203 00:14:01.400 --> 00:14:02.000 the work 204 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.100 he had to do. 205 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:08.500 And that is something by the power of the Holy Spirit, The Giver of 206 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:12.300 faith that that you can do, too. 207 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:14.300 Think about it. 208 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.800 We all face intimidating challenges at times. 209 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:23.100 Perhaps you have a circumstance, you are facing that tempts you to be 210 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.500 anxious right now. 211 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.800 Something going on. 212 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:31.200 Maybe it's it's a class assignment that you're struggling to see how 213 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:36.200 you're going to get done in time, or or maybe it's a family struggle 214 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.900 that is overwhelming. 215 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:44.100 Or, or maybe it's a task, a project for work that you have here that 216 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.000 seems very daunting. 217 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:50.700 We can relate to those kinds of big challenges. 218 00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:57.000 And for a number of you it involves future Ministry calls and 219 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.600 assignments. 220 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:59.900 I'm not going to say the word of what's happening in 221 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:05.600 the future but knowing where that you may be sent somewhere of which you 222 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:10.000 do not know, and have never heard. Knowing that you're going to be the 223 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.900 spiritual leader 224 00:15:10.900 --> 00:15:15.800 in some cases of people, much older with a lot more life experience 225 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.400 than you. 226 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:25.500 Knowing that Ministry very much is a complicated and challenging task 227 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.800 at times. 228 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:30.800 You may wonder, can I really handle all of that? 229 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.900 Well, let the account of David versus Goliath this mature and more 230 00:15:36.900 --> 00:15:43.100 nuanced understanding, give you confidence that you can do this. These 231 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:47.900 challenges, you can face as you trust in the promises of Jesus for 232 00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:48.500 you. 233 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:53.600 Knowing that the greater son of David, Jesus 234 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:57.900 your Lord died and rose to save you. 235 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:01.800 Having faith in the promise given to you in 236 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:08.500 Holy baptism, which we just sang about knowing that promise that mercy 237 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:13.600 of God for you means that nothing can be against you. 238 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:17.200 Because God is for you. 239 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.200 Knowing that 240 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:26.300 you can let the fears and intimidation of, even what seemed like big 241 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:31.400 challenges fall by the wayside as you focus on the Lord. 242 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.100 You can take a deep breath. 243 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.900 I imagine David did this. 244 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:41.600 Exhale maybe make the sign of the cross, which I don't think David 245 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.300 did, but. 246 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:45.600 You can assess the situation. 247 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.800 Okay. 248 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:49.400 Am I capable of giving this a try? 249 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:54.600 Do I have the ability to teach this Bible class? 250 00:16:55.400 --> 00:16:59.600 Lead a children's ministry? Provide spiritual care 251 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:04.200 to a person in need? Is what I learned at the Seminary from these 252 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:08.300 professors and on vicarage and fieldwork, internship 253 00:17:09.300 --> 00:17:10.599 did that prepare me? 254 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.300 You can assess the situation for what it really is. 255 00:17:15.800 --> 00:17:18.000 And in many cases you can say, yes. 256 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:20.200 I've been preparing for this. 257 00:17:21.800 --> 00:17:25.400 Now there will be times when you will need to say well, well, I don't 258 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.099 have that skill perfected yet. 259 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:29.700 I need more experience. 260 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:36.500 And you can work on that as you calmly, trust in the promises of God 261 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.500 for you. 262 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:45.900 But fear and intimidation, which the devil is always about and like, 263 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:50.800 what paralyzed Saul, and the army of Israel does not need to hold you 264 00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:56.000 back or hold you down trusting in the promises of Jesus for you. 265 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.800 You can give them a serious shot. 266 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.400 Yes, I'm going to say it. 267 00:18:01.600 --> 00:18:03.700 A sling like David. 268 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:09.200 That is what served him in the battle against Goliath. 269 00:18:10.300 --> 00:18:13.800 And that is what can serve you and carrying out your callings and 270 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:15.000 service to the Lord. 271 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.600 No superpowers needed. 272 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:24.000 Well, except the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding 273 00:18:24.800 --> 00:18:27.400 which will guard your hearts and minds in Christ 274 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:30.000 Jesus unto life Everlasting. 275 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.100 Amen. 276 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.300 Please rise.