Sermon for Sunday April 23rd, 2006

Facing The Unknown! by George Dillahunty

1 Samuel 17:42-17:46

Rev. George R. Dillahunty

April 09, 2006

Text: 1 Samuel 17:42-46 (King James Version)

"And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. (vs. 43) And the Philistine said unto David, ’Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (vs. 44) And the Philistine said to David, ’Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (vs. 45) Then said David to the Philistine, ’Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (vs. 46) This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

Topic: Facing The Unknown!

In the violent, volatile and frantic modern-day global society, within which we live, anything can and does happen; and, my brothers and sisters, an individual must be ready to face the unknown! With Almighty God on our side, it makes no difference what may come our way - why? Because we are not only ready to meet whatever happens; but, we are equipped to deal with every circumstance - armed with whatever is necessary to meet the situation!

When we have to face the unknown, when we have to face an uncertain future, when we have to face our own "Goliath," - just like the little shepherd boy, David, did - it helps to have encouragement - to be full of heart - it helps to have endurance - to be full of power - and, my brothers and sisters, it helps to have enthusiasm - to be full of Almighty God!

You all know the famous story of "David and Goliath" - how David went out to face the unknown - how David went out to engage a behemoth of a man named Goliath - armed with only a child’s "slingshot" and five (5) smooth stones! What the mocking, sneering Goliath could not see, was the absolute confidence that David had in the God that he served! David held to the firm belief that "no weapon formed against him would prosper!" Goliath did not see the supreme knowledge that armed David with the fact that "HE KNEW - THAT HE KNEW - THAT HE KNEW" that Almighty God would not only be with him; but, that Almighty God would protect him and see him through this dire situation as well!

When the giant Goliath brashly moved forward to make quick dispatch of the impudent little shepherd boy, David, he got a rude awakening! Unlike the others who deemed that Goliath was too big a target to hit - David deemed that Goliath was too big a target to miss! Calmly slinging one of the smooth stones, David let fly with a missile that struck dead center - right between the eyes - stunning the giant of a man and bringing Goliath down to utter defeat! David stepped up and with Goliath’s own sword, cut off his head! When the Philistine army saw what had happened to their champion, that a mere slip of a boy had defeated him, they panicked and fled in fear - and, the Israelites won the day!

David, the little shepherd boy, had turned an apparent defeat into a smashing victory! David had prevailed in what appeared to be a hopeless situation - why? Because he was under girded with these words "If God be for me, who can be against me!" David won the battle because he had encouragement, endurance, and enthusiasm - based upon his past experiences with the one true God - Jehovah nissi - his banner - Jehovah jireh - his provider - his mighty fortress in battle - his refuge in times of trouble, his strong tower!

The Lord would have us look, this morning, at these three (3) special qualities of David: encouragement, endurance, and enthusiasm:

Firstly, let’s look at this word "encouragement," shall we? In the French language, the word "encouragement" literally means "to put the heart in" to someone or something; whereas, the word "discouragement" literally means "to take the heart out!" When David arrived at the "front lines" of the battlefield on that fatal day, he quickly determined that the Israelites were so discouraged - so afraid of this giant of a man - that they had "lost heart!" They were literally petrified and frozen into inaction!

David, on the other hand, had been through a few things with his God - and, because of those experiences, he was "full of heart," he was "full of courage;" and, he was "full of confidence (or, enthusiasm)!" David boldly went where others feared to tread - David boldly faced the unknown - because he remembered what Almighty God had done in the past - because he knew what Almighty God would do right then - and, because he knew what Almighty God would do in the future! Tell me, "Do you have that kind of confidence in facing the unknown?"

As we read through the Holy Scriptures (or, Holy Bible) - the written Word of Almighty God - we see countless poignant scenes unfold - powerful "Biblical Moments" - moments where we see Almighty God show up and show out - moments where we see Almighty God encouraging His people - "putting the heart" into His people!

There was Moses, you know him, the "law giver" brooding in the desert wilderness; when, all of a sudden, Almighty God shows up in a "burning bush" and gives him a "heart transplant!" There was Zacchaeus, you know him, the "little guy" perched on the limb of a sycamore tree so he can see Jesus, the Christ; when, all of a sudden Jesus, the Christ, walks over and gives him a "heart transplant!" There was Mary Magdalene, you know her, the "reformed adulteress" crying out in her grief at the garden tomb; when, all of a sudden, the risen Lord and Saviour - Jesus, the Christ - calls her by name and gives her a "heart transplant!"

Almighty God is an awesome God - He is the "Great Physician" who specializes in "Heart Transplants" - He is the greatest "Cardiovascular Surgeon" in the entire universe - and, my brothers and sisters, He is waiting to give each and every one of us a "new heart!" Tell me, "Have you gotten your new heart yet?" What is so amazing, my brothers and sisters, is the fact that the "new heart" is free - simply yours for the asking - the surgery is free - and, all because Almighty God loves you and me!

Oh, by the way, tell me, "How many times have you read about the angels of the Lord saying to those privileged individuals, ’Be not afraid!" when they have come into contact with human beings! They are saying, in effect, "Take heart" - a word of "encouragement" from the Lord God Almighty!

Secondly, let’s look at this word "endurance," shall we? Endurance means to be full of power! The Greek word for "power" is "dunamis" - from which our word "dynamite" is derived! To be filled with power is to have endurance - why? Because it specifically means "innate power" - power within - "staying power" - power to remain strong to the very end - power to be persistent in all things!

Endurance gives us the ability to finish what we start! Endurance gives us the ability to see things through to their ultimate completion! Endurance gives us the ability to complete the task at hand! Endurance allows us to "finish the course" - to "run the race" - to be victorious in whatever comes our way - to boldly go where no man or woman has gone before - to face the unknown - that "Final Frontier!"

Thirdly, as I begin to close, let’s look at this word "enthusiasm," shall we? Enthusiasm literally means to be "full of Almighty God!" Enthusiasm is what gave the little shepherd boy, David, the courage (or, "heart") and the confidence (or, "endurance") to face the unknown - to go against the giant Goliath - to have no fear! David was filled with the Spirit of Almighty God - he trusted Him - he knew He was with him - and he was strengthened by that knowledge!

Too many Christian "true believers" have lost their enthusiasm! Life has battered them and knocked them around so much that they have "lost heart!" Almighty God is saying, "Don’t be afraid! Take heart! Let Me put a song in your heart! Let me fill your life with happiness and joy! Let me give you a "new heart" - you’ll be glad that you did!

In Job 28:23 (KJV), we are told: "God understandeth the way thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof." As I take my seat, this morning, let me leave you with the words of the poet, Linda C. Grazulis, from her poem entitled, "God Will Point The Way:"

***"Often a problem arises,
***Creating havoc in our life.
***We can’t seem to get our act together,
***Confused from all the strife.

***Storm clouds look like giant tornadoes,
***Leaving our thoughts whirling to and fro.
***As fears and doubts accumulate,
***Our sorrows grow and grow.

***At such times we must remember
***God can meet our every need.
***Get busy digging up the ground,
***For God will provide each tiny seed!

***Don’t be afraid to simply trust God
***No matter what shape you’re in;
***He comforts and delivers
***And offers mercy for each sin.

***God will point the way, my friend,
***And turn crisis into calm.
***If we utter prayers in faith -
***He’ll supply the healing balm."

Yes, my brothers and sisters, "there is a balm in Gilead!"

Facing The Unknown!

May Almighty God richly and abundantly bless each and every one of you!

This sermon leans heavily upon the work of James Wendell Moore (Born: 1938), in "Celebrating God’s Strength," found in his book entitled, "If God Has A Refrigerator, Your Picture Is on It," c2003: Dimensions For Living, LCCN 2002-015888, ISBN 0-687-02681-4, pp. 27-35.

Other sources:

1. "Guide Me On My Way," compiled and edited by Jennifer Grimaldi, c2003: Salesian Missions, pp. 30-31.
2. "The Holy Bible," Super Giant Print Reference Bible, King James Version, c1996 Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, ISBN 1-58819-635-8, pp. 496 and 886.