A famous passage, so famous that people who have never read the Bible know the entire story. Actually there is a show right now out on prime called “House of David” that, from what I’ve read, takes some pretty steep liberties to the real story. I find this to be a big problem. We know stories so well, that we often misunderstand them or overlook the true vitality and message that it has for us. 

David and Goliath is the best example of that. The focus is entirely on the wrong thing. We live in a world full of popular pastors with expensive shoes and nice haircuts and flashy worship services that don’t do the real work of teaching scripture. They teach good moral tales and take liberties with the Biblical text to give an inspiring message instead of a theologically and scripturally sound sermon from the word of God. 

This is why we are reading the whole Bible this year, we need to see the full picture. If we take a text out of context we get conned. Let me burst your Sunday School bubble quickly by telling you, you’re not David. 

1 Samuel 17

You’re Not David

Bad exegesis, or bad study of the word of God will claim that you are David. “Trust in God, and you can slay any giant in your life. You are strong, you can do anything with God that you want to.” Here is the thing friend, you aren’t David in this story. You are the Israelites cowering in their tents. 

Sin, the devil, and the world are powerful adversaries that you cannot extinguish on your own. In a world full of 12 step programs, hype filled messages, and moral devotionals and teaching, you wonder why you continue to lose in your engagements. The problem? You think you are the hero in your story. You aren’t, Jesus is. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ 10‬:31‬

God is not a supporting actor in your movie. The main character in your story isn’t you. The Bible isn’t about you, it’s about God. Some of the most miserable people that I have ever met all have one thing in common: it’s all about them! The fastest way to a fulfilling life full of purpose and wholeness is to focus on God… not yourself! That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Do you want to know why you don’t like reading the Bible? Because you keep looking for yourself in there. Stop it. Look for Jesus. Look for what he wants to do in you. Not to become a happier person, but to become a person that he can actually use. Read in honor of him, not in honor of yourself. 

I hear this sometimes, “well I don’t like church for (fill in the blank reason) worship, the preaching, the service is too long, the style I like isn’t there.” Church isn’t about you! It’s about God. I’ve been in church my whole life, and I can tell you, I’ve heard some crappy sermons, but I come with a notebook every time and I find a little piece of meat on that bone. Some sermons are more bone than meat but my attitude isn’t going to keep me from getting something and growing. 

Worship. “I don’t like this song. I don’t like that person leading the song but I like when that person does.” Who is it supposed to be about? Jesus! “Well, I’m leaving the church!” Because I don’t get my way. You’ll leave the next one too, I promise. Once their shine wears off. The problem isn’t the church, the problem is you go there with yourself! This whole thing is not about us. This whole story today is not about you. It’s about God. The faster we learn that, the sooner we will reach spiritual maturity. 

Forsake the tent

Sprawled out on the hillside are the Israelites hiding in their tents. Question, is this God’s destiny for them? No. Is fear from God? It No. Are they fulfilling their God given purpose in this moment? No, no, no. They are the people of God! This is their land, this is their promise, this is their inheritance! But they have forgotten who they are in God, and they have not believed God’s promise over their lives. 

Now, how about you? Are you punting the ball on your destiny to live a Spirit filled life? Have you forgotten the promises God has given you? Ones to give you victory in this life, walk in purpose, a life that is to the full in the things of God. We aren’t destined to have our tails turned on the enemy and fumbling over God’s purpose for our life, we aren’t called to the tent!

By all accounts, who should be battling this giant? Saul! You know, the guy who the Bible says is a foot taller than every other man. The one who has all of these military exploits and experience. The KING of Israel. Saul didn’t walk out his purpose. Saul punted. 

So many in our culture today have phoned it in and made way for the tent. Comfort is found there, a false sense of security is found there, a shielding from the elements and difficult things. But can I tell you today, that the tent is killing you far more than stepping out in the things of God will. Punting the ball, giving up on your calling and your purpose in God’s kingdom is the fastest way to pain and death. 

You got this one life. It is so short that in James 4:14 it describes it as a vapor. You have this one moment, this small portion in the grand scheme of history, and you are going to chill in the tent and not step into your purpose? Are we doing this right now? But how Pastor, I can’t do this! You’re right. Which leads to my last point:

Follow your champion

Was Jesus also seen as weak? Did his plan on dying on a cross for victory seem a little counterintuitive? Or greatest victory is in the Lord and doing it his way, even if in the physical things look off or impossible. 

What I love the most is the part we never talk about in Sunday school. After Davide defeats Goliath, all of a sudden courage and vitality fill the hearts of those who were otherwise defeated. Why? Their champion went before them. David, symbolizes Jesus. 

We don’t have a chance against sin and death. Sin and death are undefeated. They will never ever lose in this life. All have sinned and all will eventually die, the choice we have is who we will look to go before us in the face of such adversity! Are you following and turning to Christ your champion? Is he leading you and defeating your enemies and casting aside the enemy with his righteous right arm? Or are you depending on yourself? You can’t do this. 2 Chronicles 20:15 says the battle is whose? The Lord’s! Ephesians 6:10 says be strong in the… Lord!

You can’t summon enough courage, you can’t work up a strong fortitude of holiness and spiritual prowess, you are unable to win this fight. Turn to your champion. Follow his leading and walk in your identity in him. 

So who is your champion? Is it you? Are you trying to white knuckle this spiritual warfare? “ I’ll try harder” you say, “I want to focus like never before” is your goal. Turn to your champion! Turn to Jesus and live! Stop trying to win battles you were never meant to fight. Some battles the Bible strictly tells you not to fight! “Flee from sexual temptation.” 

Relax. You have a champion, and his name is Jesus. And unlike the illusion that sin and death has of being undefeated, Jesus actually is. He never sinned, he overcame death and rose from the grave, and he is coming back again to set up his kingdom. Trust him. You will never be disappointed when you do. 

Conclusion

Almost all the conflict in your life is predicated and built upon your belief that the works about you. You’re the problem. You are not the center of the universe. The reason why your marriage isn’t happy and fulfilling is because the world is about you. Well if he or she would be this way, then we would be happy. See, that’s the problem. You. This isn’t about you. You are focusing on the wrong thing. 

The struggle is, we think this walk with Jesus is about getting to heaven, but it’s not. It’s about getting to God. The God who loves us. He is the prize. Heaven is only a beautiful and wonderful place because God is there. The good things we pursue and enjoy are all God’s things. But we get confused when we pursue God’s things instead of God.

Is Jesus ultimate in your life? Is he your greatest prize and your greatest treasure? Does he garner your attention, your affection, your whole being. Or do you sprinkle Jesus on top of your meal like a garnish. Are you so busy with life, goals, your desires and your ambitions that you’ve lost sight of the only one and true prize that you ought to pursue? 

What can match him? What comes close to your champion? Nothing compares to Jesus. So pursue God, not heaven. Pursue Christ, not the world. Seek, search, find, knock, and discover the only place life and life to the full is found. Walk in the only path where true victory is found.