Quote from Forum Archives on April 26, 2002, 9:23 pm

Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 1

PERSPECTIVE, P.M. 4/28/02

A sickly widow had two sons on whom she relied for financial support. One son sold umbrellas. The first thing the mother did every morning was to look out to see if the sun was shining or if it looked like it was going to rain. If it was cloudy, her spirits were good because there was a chance that it might rain and her son would sell some umbrellas. But if the sun was shining, she was miserable all day because no umbrellas would be sold.

The widow’s other son sold fans. Every morning that it looked like rain, she would get depressed because without the sun’s heat, no one was likely to buy fans.

No matter what the weather was, the widow had something to fret about.

While commiserating with a friend one day, the friend remarked, "Perk up. You’ve got it made. If the sun is shining, people will buy fans; if it rains, they’ll buy umbrellas. All you have to do is change your attitude. You can’t lose."

When that simple thought sank in, the widow lived happily ever after.Adapted from Sower of Seeds, FR. Brian Cavanaugh, Paulist Press, quoted in Bits & Pieces, June 22, 1995, pp. 2-3. www.bible.org/illus/p-q/p-q-40.htm#TopOfPage

The widow learned how to have the right perspective.

There’s a charming story that Thomas Wheeler, CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, tells on himself.

He and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas. Wheeler got off the highway at the next exit and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump. He asked the lone attendant to fill the tank and check the oil, then went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.

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As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation.

The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant. But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, "It was great talking to you."

As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man. She readily admitted she did. They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year.

"Boy, were you lucky that I came along," bragged Wheeler. "If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer."

"My dear," replied his wife, "if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant." Bits and Pieces, January 9, 1992, pp. 3-4 www.bible.org/illus/p-q/p-q-40.htm#TopOfPage

Obviously the C.E.O. and his wife looked at this from two different perspectives.

• When the other person acts that way, he’s ugly
  When you do it, its nerves.

• When she’s set in her ways she’s obstinate
  When you are, it’s just firmness.

• When he doesn’t like your friends, he’s prejudiced
  When you don’t like his, you’re showing good judgment.

• When she tries to be accommodating, she’s apple-polishing.
  When you do it, you’re using tact.

• When he takes time to do things, he’s dead slow
  When you take ages, you are deliberate.

• When she picks flaws, she’s cranky
  When you do it, you’re discriminating.- Anonymous

Christopher News Notes, June, 1992 www.bible.org/illus/p-q/p-q-40.htm#TopOfPage

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 3

Perspective or how we look at things is important. If we have the right perspective about something we will do well. If we have the wrong perspective, we are in trouble.

1 Kings 17 tells the well-known story of David and Goliath. In this particular story we see that the rest of the Israelites and David looked at the problem Goliath caused with different perspectives. In fact in this passage I see three different factors that affected the perspective of those involved.

THE FEAR FACTOR

THE FOCUS FACTOR

THE FAITH FACTOR

BACKGROUND:

Vss. 1-3 - The Philistines came into what was evidently Israeli territory. Saul mustered an army to oppose them. Between the two camps there was a valley with a stream or river running through it.

Vs. 4 - Into this valley came a Philistine champion, a giant named Goliath. His height was somewhere about 9 feet tall. This man was huge.

Vss. 5-7 - This man was well armed. His armor probably weighed in the neighborhood of 125 pounds.

Vss. 8-10 - Goliath offered a challenge for someone to come and fight him. If Goliath won the Israelis would become servants to the Philistines. If the Israeli champion won, the Philistines would become servants of the Israelites.

Let me remind you that we all face "giants" in our lives.

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Sometimes our "giants" are influential people who oppose us such as family members, bosses, teachers or fellow workers.

Sometimes our "giants" are habitual sins that we have trouble standing up to.

Sometimes our "giants" are the opinions of others. We don't want to go against popular opinion.

Sometimes our "giants" are difficult circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us.

Sometimes our "giants" are illnesses in ourselves or those we love.

Sometimes our "giants" are huge financial problems.

Just as the giant, Goliath, was real, your giants will be real too and will pose real threats to your well being.

THE FEAR FACTOR

Vs. 11 - Saul and the rest of the Israeli army were terrified. They were filled with fear. Nobody wanted to face this giant.

And that's part of our problem with our giants as well. We live in fear of these giants. We allow them to intimidate us, and even run from them instead of facing them.

In fact, according to verse 24, running is exactly what Israel did when Goliath came out to challenge them.

Fear is one of the most paralyzing forces known to men.

People are often gripped with fear that renders them totally ineffective.

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We fear all sorts of things.

We fear what people think.

We fear hurting people's feelings.

We fear the future.

We fear death.

We fear the consequences of our failures.

We fear illness.

We fear being inadequate.

We fear what people can do to us.

Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Jesus had some very important things to say about fear in Luke 12:4-7 - And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [7] But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The worst thing that anyone can do is kill you.

Jesus tells us not to fear those who kill the body. They can not have an eternal effect on you.

However we are to fear the one who, after killing us, can cast us to hell. We are to fear God.

When we truly fear God, we will come to Christ as Savior.

When we have Christ as our Savior, we need not fear, because God considers us of more value than many sparrows!

There are many anti-fear verses in the Bible. Can you name any?

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 6

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

1 Peter 3:13-14 - And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

When we approach our problems from a perspective of fear, we are at a distinct disadvantage!

• We can't think clearly.
• We are giving our enemies an advantage.
• We are always running.
• We will lose sleep.
• We are disobeying God.

Fear of man or circumstances is not God's will for you life.

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 7

Fear is a lack of faith.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

THE FEAR FACTOR

THE FOCUS FACTOR

Vss. 12-22 - Our hero, David, now enters the story.

He has been at home looking at his father's sheep.

He is now sent to the battlefield to bring provisions to his brother and to get a report on the war. As David arrives the battle for the day was about to start.

Vss. 23-24 - David witnessed Goliath's daily taunt that had now been going on for weeks. He also witnessed the fear on the part of the Israelites.

Vs. 25 - Evidently the king had made offers of reward for anyone who would defeat the giant.

Saul's focus, and the focus of the Israeli army was not on defeating the giant. Their focus was on self-preservation. Saul and the rest of the army would not face the giant personally because they were afraid of losing their own lives. They wanted to preserve their own lives.

One of the greatest hindrances to being a good disciple of Jesus Christ is to focus on self-preservation.

Luke 9:24 - For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

John 12:25 - He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 8

Vs. 26 - David's focus was different.

David didn't focus on self-preservation.

David focused on the glory of God.

David was asking, "Who is this unbeliever, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" What right did this guy have to intimidate God's people!

David's focus included the thought that God's armies were far more powerful than Goliath.

David saw the issue as God's issue. God's glory suffers when unsaved people are allowed to have the upper hand.

Christian, what right does any giant have to rule your life?

When you give in to the giants in your life, you are not allowing God to have the glory.

When you stand up the giants, you are giving the God glory.

Do you want God to be glorified in you life?

Stand up to the giant of habitual sin.

Do you want God to be glorified in your life?

Stand up to the giant of worry.

Do you want God to be glorified in your life?

Stand up to the giant of fear.

1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Now, here's a word of warning. When you start to focus on the real issue in facing giants, the glory of God, there will be people who will oppose you, or think you are nuts.

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 9

Vss. 28-29 - David's brother accused him of meddling.

Vss. 31-33 - Saul told David that he was incapable.

Because Saul and the Israeli army were focused on self-preservation any suggestion of a victory over the giant seemed to be folly. They saw this as impossible.

One of the great reasons we fail to see more victories over giants is because we deem things to impossible.

We forget the Scriptures.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

THE FEAR FACTOR

THE FOCUS FACTOR

THE FAITH FACTOR

Because David focused on the issue of God's glory being at stake, he had the faith that God would give him the victory.

Vss. 34 -37 - David remembered past victories that the Lord had given him. He trusted by faith that God would continue to deliver by giving victory over Goliath. Goliath had no right to intimidate Israel. He could and would be stopped!

Two quick thoughts here:

1. Our past victories by faith should encourage us to trust God for victory again. We have seen God provide for our needs, especially at Christmastime. We have become more confident that God will continue to meet our needs.

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 1

2. The giants in my life have no right to intimidate a child of God. The giants in my life have no right to intimidate and control me.

Vss. 38-39 - Saul meant well. He gave David his armor for protection, but it was too big and too bulky for David. Sometimes people try to help in our fight with our giants, but their help relies on human wisdom and not on God.

Vss. 40-44 - David took with him what he knew how to use.

He took his sling, and probably his shepherd's staff.

Goliath was unimpressed and even insulted, and gave David a good cursing out.

Vss. 44-48 - David confronted Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.

David was confident that God would get the glory - Vs. 46.

David was also confident that the Israeli army would also discover that the Lord "saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's…"

What can we learn from David's statement's?

1. When we fight a giant, do it for the glory of God. Remember, God is glorified when you get the victory over a giant.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2. When we fight a giant remember, the battle is the Lord's! God has equipped us with his armor! God is the one with the power to win.

1 SAMUEL 17 - PAGE 11

Zechariah 4:6 - Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Vss. 48-54 - David won the battle using what seemed to be an insufficient weapon, a slingshot. But David won the battle because His confidence was in the Lord!

What are your giants?

Put them into perspective.

Beware of the FEAR FACTOR

Center in on the FOCUS FACTOR

Act on the FAITH FACTOR

______________________________________________

 

Pastor Jack Peters
Ezra 7:10
AOL INSTANT MESSENGING SCREEN NAME - JackPeters47
MSN MESSENGER SCREEN NAME - johnwpeters@hotmail.com
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