TWO MEN - TWO CHOICES!

As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. (1 Samuel 18:6-9 ESV)

In chapter 17 of 1 Samuel we see a story of two men facing the same difficult problem - a man named Goliath.  On the one hand there is Saul who is the commander of the army of Israel - a seasoned warrior.  On the other hand is David - a young shepherd who was just delivering supplies to his brothers.  To Saul, Goliath was an obstacle that he couldn't overcome.  But to David, Goliath was just a bump in the road to victory.

While Saul was cowering with his men and retreating from battle - David was sizing up the situation and determining the type of weapon to use to defeat Goliath. To Saul, Goliath was a huge obstacle that struck fear in his heart causing him to try and give his leadership away by bribery and gifts.  David saw Goliath as a giant that needed to be slain.

Look at how David viewed Goliath...

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”  (1 Samuel 17:34-37 ESV)

Throughout the Bible we are given many illustrations of people who were given the same obstacle's in life.  To choose one way would mean defeat, and to choose another way would mean victory.

Look at these examples:

- Joshua and Caleb vs. the 10 spies.  Joshua and Caleb didn't see the problems of the giants - they saw the potential for victory.
- Moses vs. Joshua - Moses saw the problems of the people and was not allowed into the Promised Land whereas Joshua followed fully after The Lord and was allowed to enter the Promised Land.  Same problems - different viewpoints.
- Peter vs. the disciples while the storm was on the water.  Peter saw Jesus in the midst of the story and decided to walk on water (in faith) to Jesus while the disciples stayed back on the boat.
- Etc, Etc, Etc.

We will all face obstacles in life and we will all experience giants of daunting proportions.  The answer lies in who do you see going with you into battle.  Saul was paralyzed and couldn't engage the giant before him while David knew that The Lord would go with him and help him defeat Goliath.

What is your Goliath today?  What is hindering you from moving forward?  What is stopping you from stepping out and walking in faith?  Your Goliath is nothing more than a big giant that needs to be stopped and defeated.  You don't have to do battle today - trust God to go with you and let Him do the battle for you.  Side note:  He always wins!