Embracing God's Sovereignty: Beyond David and Goliath
Summary
In the message delivered at The Bridge Church, we are invited to delve into the familiar biblical narrative of David and Goliath, but with a fresh perspective that challenges the conventional understanding of the story as merely an underdog tale. Instead, we are encouraged to see it as a testament to God's sovereignty and His overarching narrative. The message begins by addressing the initial call of Jesus to His followers, which is simply to "come and see." This invitation is appealing, especially when we find ourselves in dire circumstances, seeking divine intervention to remedy our situations and bring comfort to our lives. However, the journey with Jesus evolves from an invitation to witness to a call for surrender, as we are asked to pick up our crosses and participate in God's grand story rather than focusing on our own.
The message emphasizes that God's plan is not to prop up our personal kingdoms but to invite us into His. This is illustrated through the story of David and Goliath, where David's victory is not just a triumph of the weak over the strong but a demonstration of God's power over seemingly insurmountable challenges. Goliath, described with armor that gives him a serpentine, dragon-like appearance, represents more than just a physical giant; he symbolizes the spiritual giants that stand against God's people. David's victory over Goliath foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory over Satan and death.
The message also touches on the importance of spiritual disciplines or habits that draw us closer to God. The congregation is encouraged to engage in daily scripture reading, specifically through a 22-day devotional journey through Psalm 119. This practice is presented as a small decision that can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs.
Furthermore, the message addresses the issue of shame and failure in our spiritual walk. We are reminded that the voice of shame is not from God but from the enemy. God celebrates our efforts to draw closer to Him, even when we stumble. The message also highlights the importance of fasting as a means to deny the flesh and attune ourselves to the Spirit, encouraging the congregation to participate in a 10-day period of prayer and fasting.
The story of Saul, the first king of Israel, is used to illustrate the dangers of fearing people and obeying their voices over God's. Saul's downfall serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when we lose sight of God's sovereignty and begin to rely on our own strength and reputation.
In applying the story of David and Goliath to our lives, we are encouraged to "get a grip" on the things that matter, to "take aim" with specific prayers and intentions, and to recognize that setbacks may be God's way of pulling us back to launch us further into His plans. We are also called to let go of offenses and move forward in our faith, taking the next step toward God, even when we do not see immediate answers to our prayers.
The message concludes with a powerful reminder that God's presence and sovereignty remain constant, even when our circumstances do not change. We are encouraged to live unoffended and to trust God's plan, even when it differs from our own desires.
Key Takeaways:
- The journey with Christ begins with a simple invitation to "come and see," but it must evolve into a deeper level of surrender and participation in God's story, rather than our own. This surrender is not about elevating our personal kingdoms but about embracing the cross and the narrative God is unfolding. [37:19]
- Spiritual disciplines, such as daily scripture reading, are small decisions that can lead to significant spiritual growth. Engaging in these practices allows us to draw nearer to God and experience the transformative power of His Word in our lives. [27:08]
- Shame and failure should not deter us from pursuing God. The voice of shame is not from the Lord but from the enemy. God delights in our efforts to grow closer to Him, and every step taken in faith is celebrated in heaven. [30:57]
- Setbacks in our spiritual journey can be reframed as God's way of preparing us for greater things. Instead of viewing obstacles as defeats, we can see them as opportunities for God to pull us back and launch us further into His purpose for our lives. [58:26]
- Letting go of offenses and choosing to live unoffended can lead to significant breakthroughs in our spiritual walk. Holding onto grievances only leads to more battles, whereas releasing them allows us to move forward and grow closer to God. [59:38]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 17:1-50 - The story of David and Goliath.
2. Psalm 119 - Encouragement for daily scripture reading and spiritual discipline.
3. 1 Samuel 15:24 - Saul's confession of fearing people over God.
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific details are given about Goliath's appearance and armor in 1 Samuel 17? How do these details contribute to the perception of Goliath as a formidable opponent?
2. In 1 Samuel 17, how does David respond to Goliath's taunts and the discouragement from his own brother and King Saul? [45:24]
3. According to Psalm 119, what are some benefits of engaging in daily scripture reading and meditation?
4. What reason does Saul give for his disobedience in 1 Samuel 15:24, and how does this reflect his priorities?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of David and Goliath illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty over seemingly insurmountable challenges? [32:44]
2. In what ways does David's victory over Goliath foreshadow Jesus' ultimate victory over Satan and death? [34:36]
3. How can the practice of daily scripture reading, as encouraged through Psalm 119, lead to significant spiritual growth and transformation? [27:08]
4. What are the dangers of fearing people and obeying their voices over God's, as illustrated by Saul's downfall in 1 Samuel 15:24? [40:40]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the initial call of Jesus to "come and see" and the subsequent call to "pick up your cross." How has your journey with Jesus evolved from witnessing to surrendering? What steps can you take to deepen your surrender to God's story rather than focusing on your own? [37:19]
2. Identify a specific spiritual discipline you can commit to, such as daily scripture reading or fasting. How can this small decision lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs in your life? [27:08]
3. Think about a recent setback in your spiritual journey. How can you reframe this obstacle as an opportunity for God to prepare you for greater things? What practical steps can you take to trust God's plan in the midst of setbacks? [58:26]
4. Consider an area in your life where you may be holding onto shame or failure. How can you recognize that the voice of shame is not from God but from the enemy? What steps can you take to celebrate your efforts to draw closer to God, even when you stumble? [30:57]
5. Reflect on any offenses or grievances you may be holding onto. How can choosing to live unoffended lead to significant breakthroughs in your spiritual walk? What practical steps can you take to let go of these offenses and move forward in your faith? [59:38]
6. Saul's downfall was partly due to his fear of people and their opinions. Are there areas in your life where you are prioritizing people's voices over God's? How can you shift your focus to obeying God's voice above all else? [40:40]
7. How can you actively participate in God's grand story rather than seeking to elevate your personal kingdom? What specific actions can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's overarching narrative? [37:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrender to God's Narrative
In the walk of faith, the initial allure is often the invitation to "come and see," a beckoning to witness the wonders of God's work. Yet, this is merely the beginning. The true essence of discipleship is found in the transition from spectator to active participant, where one is called to lay down personal ambitions and take up the cross. This act of surrender is not about diminishing one's value but about aligning with the divine narrative that God is unfolding. It is a journey from seeking to elevate personal kingdoms to embracing a role in the grand story that God authors, where every setback is a setup for His glory and every triumph a testament to His sovereignty [37:19].
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" - Matthew 16:24-25
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual Discipline
Spiritual growth is not a product of chance but the result of intentional practice. The discipline of daily scripture reading is a small decision that can lead to significant spiritual maturity. By immersing oneself in the Word of God, one's mind is renewed, and the heart becomes more attuned to the divine. This practice is not a mere routine but a transformative encounter that draws one closer to God, allowing His truth to shape thoughts, actions, and ultimately, character [27:08].
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." - Psalm 1:2-3
Reflection: Identify a time and place where you can consistently read Scripture each day. What steps can you take to make this practice a non-negotiable part of your daily routine?
Day 3: Overcoming Shame with Grace
The journey of faith is marred by moments of stumbling, yet it is in these moments that God's grace shines brightest. Shame, the insidious voice that whispers of unworthiness, is not the language of the Lord. Instead, God celebrates each step taken towards Him, no matter how faltering. The path to spiritual maturity is paved with grace, where every effort to grow closer to God is met with divine delight and encouragement [30:57].
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2
Reflection: Recall a recent time when you experienced shame or failure in your spiritual walk. How can you reframe that experience to see it as an opportunity for growth and a reminder of God's grace?
Day 4: Reframing Setbacks as Setups
In the economy of God, setbacks are not dead ends but rather the tension needed to launch us forward. The obstacles and challenges faced are often the very means by which God prepares us for greater things. Instead of viewing difficulties as defeats, one can embrace them as divine opportunities, trusting that God is at work even in the trials, pulling us back to propel us into His purpose for our lives [58:26].
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
Reflection: Reflect on a recent setback or obstacle in your life. How can you view this situation as God's way of preparing you for something greater in His plan?
Day 5: Living Unoffended in God's Presence
To live unoffended is to choose the path of peace and growth. Holding onto offenses only leads to stagnation and strife, but releasing them allows one to move forward in faith. This choice to let go is not a sign of weakness but of strength, rooted in the trust that God's presence and sovereignty are constants, even when circumstances are not. Embracing this mindset is to live with an open heart, ready to receive God's plan, even when it diverges from personal desires [59:38].
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Quotes
1) "The voice of Shame the voice of saying you're a failure is not of the Lord it is of the enemy. He wants you to feel less than what you are whereas the Lord in Heaven's like look at this you are taking strides you're moving closer let's go." [30:57] (Download)
2) "God wants to work in your life but he's bigger about his agenda and so I just want to wake us up like a little bit to this idea this was not an Underdog Story God was going to win and he did use unusually weak looking circumstances but God was never out of control." [33:16] (Download)
3) "David defeated the snake giant, the dragon giant. David defeated him and it foreshadowed a future one, his name is Jesus, who would take on a different snake giant, the true enemy Satan, who he is, he took him down and the true giant which is death and defeated it is conquered." [35:13] (Download)
4) "As you follow Jesus in scripture he says come and see and then eventually he says now pick up your cross. That's a just a little bit of a switch, could we not agree? Ah come on check it out, pick up a torturing device. How's that going?" [37:19] (Download)
5) "If you're on the front end can I just tell you keep taking next steps, it's part of the journey and the following of Jesus that starts as come and see keeps moving to levels of surrender and I want you to know that on the front end." [37:52] (Download)
6) "Many of you if you would let go of the offense a battle would go away. I wonder how many battles were going in because that's not fair, that's not right, they believe this, they voted for him blah blah blah... let go then finally move forward, take a Next Step, walk closer to the Lord." [59:38] (Download)
7) "Could the setback actually be God pulling you back to send you further? He's building something in you and maybe the setback is really a pullback and one of the best ways to know what is the setback for is to pull back and fast." [58:26] (Download)
8) "Every day I'm going to look at scripture, every day I'm going to read a little bit of scripture and many of you have been journeying along with that... little decision, little bit of the word every day over time huge impact in your life, huge impact in your heart huge." [27:08] (Download)
9) "Are you aware of what your specific prayers are, have you them written down? I know you think about things but have you ever taken a this is what I'm praying about and you just start pestering god with it, this matters, this matters, this matters, this matters." [56:43] (Download)
10) "If you aren't careful it could get lost. The first application idea is this: get a grip. Is there anything in your world in your life right now where it matters but it might be getting loose, your walk with God, maybe it's your intentionality with your finances, maybe it's a relational thing." [55:35] (Download)
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