Facing Your Giants

1 Samuel 16:7

"God does not see as humans see.Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”

1 Samuel 16
Chapter sixteen makes it clear that Saul is being replaced with a new king that God has selected. Verse one opens with the Lord telling Samuel to go to Jesse in Bethlehem and anoint one of his sons that He has chosen to be the next King of Israel.

If you recall in chapters eight and nine the people of Israel rejected God and ask for a king instead. When they saw the outward appearance of Saul they were very impressed and he was anointed their new king. In 1 Samuel 16:7 God gives Samuel clear instructions after meeting all the sons of Jesse except the youngest one,"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

David is the youngest son of Jesse who spends his time out in the fields as a shepherd. At the age of fifteen years old God chooses David as the anointed King of Israel. At the time Samuel anoints David as king the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power and departed from Saul. Soon David would be chosen by Saul to serve him with mood music with his harp playing.
1 Samuel 16:23 "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him."

APPLICATION:
Lord, help me to not judge others by their outward appearance but look at their heart.
Help me to look at others with Your eyes LORD.


1 Samuel 17
One of the most famous chapters in the Old Testament is in our reading today, chapter seventeen.
In this chapter we read the powerful story of courage of David and defeat of Goliath.

APPLICATION:

1. David did not allow his family member's negative comments to discourage or stop him. We must learn to take God's Word over the statements of others (even if they are family). verses 28-30
2. David steps up to fight the enemy because he has experienced the power of God in his life and knows God is stronger than any giant obstacle he will face. David is willing to Face the Giant because he has learned to trust a living God who saves. He is convinced the battle is the Lord's. verses 36,47
3. David had confidence in the power of his God. Because of his faith in a living God he is not afraid of the fight against the enemy like all the rest of the Israel army. Verses 11,16,32

You and I serve the same God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, David and more. He is living and active in your life.
Do you live with Him in the center of your life on a daily basis?
God loves you and desires for you to make Him the love of your life.
Won't you decide today to make God the center and strength of your life to fight the obstacles that disappoint and discourage you. You can trust Him as your personal Savior. Let's Pray

Lord,
We love You and thank You with all of our hearts for your peace and presence that we can experience as a child of God. We trust You and ask You to help us believe and receive Your strength with every obstacle we face. Thank You Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!