RELENTLESS FAITH!
THIS IS US — Message #4
1 Samuel 17:33-37; 40-47
Introduction:
It seems these days — there’s a great interest in living a daring life. I hear people talk quite often about wanting to do extreme activities and live their lives on the edge! It’s clear that people love to experience the rush of adrenaline. And so often that comes by way of extreme sports.
Bungee jumping in Ashville, NC
Sky diving in Anderson, SC
Rock climbing at Table Rock, Pickens, SC
Spelunking — or Cave jumping and exploring in North Georgia
Free diving in costal regions and the deep springs of South Florida
Running of the bulls in Spain
Shark diving in Cape Town, South Africa
There’s even Cliff diving here in South Carolina at Lake Jocassee,
But, as crazy and adventurous as these activities are — nothing compares to living with a RELENTLESS FAITH in God.
Living with a confident trust in God — and daring to follow His lead through life is as adventurous as you’ll ever find. Consider the adventurous acts we find in scripture. Take for instance the call of Moses to face off with Pharoah. Or Gideon (the mighty warrior)…going to battle with only 300 men. Or Abraham, leaving his home and simply following the leading of God. Or the people of Israel following a cloud in the day and fire at night. Or the three Hebrew young men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego) boldly and bravely facing imminent death in a furnace of fire — only to come out untouched by the flames.
And what was it that connects all of these stories together — it was their RELENTLESS FAITH in God. And we too are called to live with that kind of faith.
While it would be much easier to be content where we are — the life of faith is one which calls us to trust deeply and risk greatly. But taking steps of faith are not just doing something for God. It’s living our lives surrendered to Him.
And to do so — it takes faith! As the writer of Hebrews tells us:
Hebrews 11:6
6 …without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV
And I bring this up — because at TFC, we value FAITH! And it’s one of the defining marks of who we are. We are a people of RELENTLESS FAITH!
MESSAGE
In 1 Samuel 17 we find a story about the early days of a young boy. His path in life would eventually lead him to the throne of Israel, as he would be anointed king. But at this point in his life, he was just a boy (just a boy named David).
As you’ll see, he had a GIANT problem — but he faced it a RELENTLESS FAITH.
And it’s this same relentless faith that I believe defines who we are (and who we long to be) as a church! A People of RELENTLESS FAITH — This is Us!
So, if you have your Bible — turn with me to 1 Samuel chapter 17.
In this story — we find David facing one of his earliest challenges. And it came on the battlefield in the Valley of Elah (an area west of Bethlehem).
And this challenge came as the Philistine army taunted his nation. Sending out their greatest warrior — a giant of a man named Goliath, they continued to humiliate the nation of Israel. The army of Israel quaked with fear — and no one was willing to face the giant.
Well, having watched this from a distance — David became protective of his people and defensive of His God. And when he had the opportunity, he spoke to the King.
And in 1 Sam 17 we’re told what he said. Listen to it as I read. Beginning in verse 32 it says,
32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” (NLT)
Now, skip down to verse 40. As the story continues…we’re told:
40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”” (NLT)
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
Well, I’ve always loved this story. And one of the reasons is because it reminds me that a RELENTLESS FAITH in God will lead us to become overcomes — as we triumph over the obstacles and the enemy of our lives.
Now, I want to be clear about something…there’s a danger in reading a story like this — it that, we may be tempted to believe that every battle will be victorious and the that we enemy will fall so easy. And that’s just not the case,
But FAITH isn’t really about the end result…it’s about the process. It’s not about what happens to others — it about what happens in you.
And so, this morning…I want to give you a few characteristics of a RELENTLESS FAITH!
First of all, a RELENTLESS FAITH will lead you to:
1. RESPOND WITH OPTIMISM!
Just consider again, the circumstances that David faced. He had an army of warriors taunting his nation. And yet his nation quaked with fear. With no experience and no one backing him up, David doesn’t hesitate to optimistically declare his confidence in the moment.
Rather than rehearse the problem — David responded with faith and hope!
This is a big deal. Because, faith sees far beyond the problem!
Faith resonates with an optimistic tone…and sees a hopeful future. Listen again to David’s response to Israels problem. In verse 32 he says
32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
A faith that rests itself in the character and faithfulness of God will always lean towards optimism.
If you always see the problem before you — and you struggle with a negative view of life, then discipline yourself to trust in God. Remind yourself of the promises He’s made to you. Remember His faithfulness. And lean upon His Word.
The Bible is full of God’s promises and reminders that He is faithful.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Let these verses — and the totality of God’s Word provoke you to live with a positive disposition. And let you FAITH lead you to RESPOND WITH OPTIMISM!
Secondly, a RELENTLESS FAITH will lead you to:
2.Recall PREVIOUS victories!
Some people live their lives only seeing what’s right before them. Because of this, they are easily tripped up by their circumstances and troubles.
But people of FAITH live with an awareness of the past — and they are inspired to TRUST GOD in the present because of His faithfulness in the past.
That was the case for David. In verse 34 — when Saul doubted David’s readiness to face the giant, David recalled previous victories…those times when God had empowered him to overcome other challenges.
And so, he told the King,
34 …When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Notice how God kept preparing David (through his challenges) to become stronger — enabling him to face greater and greater enemies.
It was the lion and the bear that prepared him to face the giant.
And I’ll just tell you — this giant prepared him to face greater armies in his future.
Each battle became the proving ground of David’s faith. They acted as the foundation upon which God would continue to build up David’s RELENTLESS FAITH!
And so, with each new challenge, David didn’t give up — instead he looked back. He recalled previous victories!
Don’t let God’s blessings and victories in your life be lost!
Mark them down.
Make mental notes.
Keep a journal of God’s goodness.
Remembering what God has done for us in the past gives up hope.
In Isaiah 43:1-3, God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pas through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
If you’re going to remember something in life — remember God’s faithfulness.
Recall past victories! And let your history with God give you the foundation for your RELENTLESS FAITH!
A relentless faith will lead you to:
RESPOND WITH OPTIMISM!
AND RECALL PREVIOUS VICTORIES!
And thirdly, a RELENTLESS FAITH will lead us to:
3. RELY ON GOD.
David knew his battle wasn’t going to be won with power and might. It was going to be won with the power of God.
Listen again to verse 45, David says,
45 “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. NIV
David knew there was more at stake than just the possessions and people of Israel. He knew God’s reputation was on the line! And David knew God wasn’t going to be shamed by some pagan giant.
Because of this — he knew this battle wasn’t going to be won with conventional means. So, rather than swords and speaks — it was going to be won by the power of God.
God would use a small smooth stone to level the philistine warrior.
I think David (even as a young boy) understood that he wasn’t the answer — but God was! And so, in a way — that took the pressure off of him. But I wonder, if too often the reason our lives are so full of anxiety and stress is because we think we are the answer!
And yet, deep down — we know we’re not enough!
Listen, a RELENTLESS FAITH in God recognizes that we aren’t the answer. It sees the battles around us and acknowledges that we must rely upon God.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 tells of the outcome when we rely upon God. He says,
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
There are side effects from relying upon God…you find confidence and courage — and the circumstances of life don’t control you. Moreover, God gives victory where it looks like total defeat.
For your good and His glory.
So, when you have a problem before you — ask God to help you learn to rely upon Him.
Remind yourself that you don’t have all the answers — but God does.
So take courage and remember what Paul says in Romans 8:37-39,
“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So, trust in Him!
A relentless faith will lead you to:
Respond WITH OPTIMISM!
Recall PREVIOUS victories!
And Rely on God.
Understand — these things were not just once and done practices in David’s life — they were the habits of a RELENTLESS FAITH!
And we see them surface within him again and again.
And I think this is one of the reasons God would say of David, “He was a man after my own heart.” Meaning, David was someone who lived his life with an awareness of God and an on-going trust in Him.
Conclusion:
Let me ask you — does the kind of life describe yours?
Are you living the moments of your life with an awareness that God is with you?
Does that fact lead you to believe for the best, take great risks to accomplish great dreams? Does it lead you to reject discouragement when difficulties come? And through it all to rely upon God?
If so — then stay the course! And keep the faith! My challenge to you would be to dream bigger and dare to do more. Don’t look back, don’t let up, don’t slow down, don’t back away, or give up.
Spend your life giving your all for Jesus. And live with a RELENTLESS FAITH!
But if you’re not living the moments of you life with the kind of faith that I’ve described this morning — then it’s time to make a change. It’s time to believe in the promise of God to always be with you, and to never stop working in your life.
As Paul declares in Philippians 1:6,
6 …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV
So, God hasn’t given up on you — so don’t give up on Him. KEEP BELIEVING!
Because, God has not set you up for defeat! He has set you up for victory! And another season of Growth. Another level of development so that He can complete that good work in you which He began!
So, just believe. Have faith — because THIS IS US! It defines who we are (and who we long to be) as a church! A People of RELENTLESS FAITH!