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The Way of Success
Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
July 1, 2010
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“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a
sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him;
but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David
ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew
it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head
therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead,
they fled.” I Samuel 17:50-51
When it comes to
comprehending the truth of God’s Word, I have found that
imagination has been a tremendous benefit to my ability to grasp
the magnitude of divine truth. I have discovered that when I
allow myself to become part of the activity as well as taking a
position within the setting of the passage, I receive greater
insight causing the truth to become relevant to my daily life.
In the case of David’s battle with Goliath, I walk into the
valley and take a position with David in the conflict. Having
done this, the phrase “So David prevailed” takes on a
whole new meaning.
The stone having found its
mark, I watch as a youthful lad sprints across the valley floor
to the prostrate body of a giant between nine and twelve feet in
height. Fearing for his life, the armor bearer of Goliath flees
the scene abandoning the body of Goliath. Drawing Goliath’s
sword from its sheath, David severs the head from the torso of
the Philistines’ champion. David stoops to grasp the severed
head of the giant and in one fluid motion, David raises the head
and the sword while shouting to the host on either side; “The
Lord God Jehovah has prevailed!” Now, that’s a picture of
success!
Having seen success in
David’s life; can that same success be duplicated in my own
personal walk with God? Since the Word of God tells us that God
is no respecter of persons, the question must be answered in the
affirmative. If I will discover the principles, practices, and
promises that made David a success and implement those in my
life, I can expect the same results. When I look at this event
through the eyes of David, I discover six basic principles that
help insure David’s success.
(I) Directed By the Will of
the Father – vs.20 “as Jessie had commanded”
While David’s brethren would
accuse David of acting in accordance to the desires of the
flesh, a careful reading of the text reveals that David was just
following orders. It was the will of his father, Jessie that
would send David to the field of battle. The question that we
must ask ourselves is; “Where do we get our orders?” There can
be no success in the Christian life outside the will of God! God
enlightens the believer to His will for their life by the
Spirit, the Scriptures, the servant, and situations. Do you know
the will of the Father? But there is one aspect of David’s
obedience that is sometimes over looked; “And David rose up
early.” Having discovered the will of the father, David did
not delay in the performance of that will. At the age of twelve,
Jesus said, “wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business?” (Luke 2:49). David was directed by the will of
the father.
(II) Diligent in His
Responsibilities – vs. 20 “left the sheep with a keeper”
In verse 22, it tells
us that when David arrived at the camp, “David left his
carriage in the hand of the keeper.” Even in the light of a
greater task, David never abandoned his responsibility to the
smaller things. David was faithful to everything that was placed
in his hand. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about
the importance of being a faithful steward. The master’s goods
were dispensed in accordance to the will of the master; five
talents, two talents, and one talent. It is not a matter of how
much they received, but what did they do with what they
received? I have discovered that if a person will not be
diligent in the small things, they will not be diligent in the
big things! David was diligent in his responsibilities.
(III) Discerned the Problem –
vs26 “taketh away the reproach”
The entire camp of Israel
thought that they had a “giant problem.” Equipped with spiritual
discernment, David knew that Israel had a “God problem.” Israel
thought they had a secular problem, David realized that it was a
spiritual problem! You cannot fix the problem if you don’t know
what your problem is! Most of our physical and secular problems
are just the fruit of our real spiritual problems. David
discerned the problem.
(IV) Disregarded Personal
Attacks – vs.29-30 “he turned from him toward another”
In David’s willingness to
fight the giant, he discovered that while the brethren were not
willing to fight the giant, they were willing to fight him! If
you think that you can be totally sold out and committed to
doing God’s perfect will for your life and not be opposed, you
are very much mistaken! While the brethren would fight with
David, David would not fight with the brethren! That is a lesson
that is very needful for the day in which we live. David
disregarded personal attacks.
(V) Depended Upon His Source
and Not Himself – vs.37 “he will deliver me”
David would not enter the
battle in the strength of his might, but in the Lord’s might;
“for the battle is the
Lord 's” (vs.47). David would depend upon the Lord’s
protection, “he will deliver me.” The same God that had
protected David from the bear and the lion would protect David
from the giant. David would depend upon the Lord’s strength,
“I come to thee in the name of the LORD of host” (vs.45). It
would not be a stone or a sword that would bring down the
champion of the Philistines, it would be the strength of the
Lord. David depended upon his source and not himself.
(VI) Directed Attention From
Self to the Saviour – vs.46-47 “the Lord saveth”
The fundamental objective of
the Christian life is point away from self and unto the Saviour!
David would take no credit for anything that was accomplished
that day. David would turn all eyes upon the King of Kings and
the Lord of Lord’s. The quickest way to get in trouble is to
steal the praise that is due to Him and only Him! David would
direct attention away from himself and unto the Saviour.
David would enjoy complete
victory over the champion of the Philistines because of the
practice of divine principles. These principles not only allowed
David to be successful, but they can help lead each one of us to
success in the Christian life. They only need to be applied!
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