Take your position

The Enemy

Most people know the famous story about David and Goliath, the boy against the taunting giant and with one rock it was a knockout. There's more to this story of victory as seen in 1 Samuel 17.  The story begins with two armies on opposite hills, the Philistines and the Israelites. The enemy was described as Philistinian Giant name Goliath (verse 1-11). Goliath was described as massive, heavy, mighty and 💪 strong too, a champion of a nation. His past accomplishments, capabilities and strength made him confident in his own might. He wasn't alone as the entire Philistinian army was with him. Goliath stood proud with his weapons taunting the Israelite army for forty days both day and night.

These are the lessons learnt

1. The enemies job is to taunt us day and night to make us fearful of him and that is what satan does to us relentlessly. He had to keep the fear alive to keep us from progressing.
2. He portrays his might, accomplishments, capabilities and weapons to make us know that we don't stand a chance. Giving up is our best option.
3. There are many enemies, but our biggest enemy may be our door to greatness, it all depends on our response.
4. The enemy knows us, he knows our weakness and the buttons to press, so he taunts to fear in us consistently so that we run from progress and destiny. He knows when we face challenges we become stronger to face the next one and the next one till we become who God called us to be.

The Request

David was a shepherd and his father Jesse sent him to check on and take food to his brothers who were part of the Israelite army. Early the next morning, David left as per his father's request to the Israelite army camp. He left his sheep under the care of another shepherd. He arrived at the time the Israelites were shouting their battle cries ready to fight. David left the supplies to the keeper and ran to greet his brother and that is when he heard Goliaths taunt to Israel. The Israelite army saw him and they were afraid and so they retreated.

1. David was responsible, he took care of what God gave him, he never left his sheep stray instead he left them under the care of another shepherd.
2. Obedience to the simplest and probably meaningless requests may direct you to the opportunity that can change your life.

The Opportunity

The army men started to speak about the giant, his day to day taunts and the Kings reward. David heard what the soldiers were saying and he asked for was the verification of the information. David questioned the IDENTITY of the enemy while magnifying God "who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?". Moreover, David wanted to know what was the REWARD of killing the Goliath. David's brother was angry with him as they KNEW him and thought he wanted to just see the fight. His brother reminded him of the character of his pride and deceit and his job as a shepherd. David verified the information again from another group and he received the same answer. Three times David heard the same information. His questions grabbed the attention of King Saul.

1. Your identity is on what or whom you focus on. David's identified with God and the enemy was not a match.
2.  No one does anything for nothing. David needed to know what was the reward. I think it was the contents of the reward that grabbed his attention. The reward would benefit not just him but also his entire family (exemption from paying tax). 
3. On the path to greatness or success, often they are people who remind us of our position based on things we did on a daily basis. This is what David's brother did reminded him of his position as a shepherd and nothing more. And this how dreams are killed by listening to those close to us (some who mean well) who derail us from our destiny because they can't see or fathom the extent of the greatness God has put within you. So they see you as what you've always been and identify you with what they see you do on a daily basis.  Eliab saw David the Shephard.
4. Persistence pays. David asked the same question and received the same answer. he persisted and his persistence got the attention of one who reported to King Saul.
5. Cease the moment that would change your life.

The qualifications (CV)

David told the King he can take on Goliath. The King saw David as just a boy with an understanding of Goliath history as a man of war since his youth. The unfazed David told the King about how he killed bears and lions to protect his flock and also go after the animal to rescue his lamb. Plus he knows how to defend himself and because of this, he can take on Goliath. Saul finally agreed and told him the God be with you.

1. Do not despise the times of small beginnings, it is there you gain the necessary skills that will enable you to maintain the position or place of where God is taking you.
2. David might just have been a shepherd but it this place he loved, protected and defended his flock. The skills he learnt at this time helped him later on in his position as the King of Israel. Just like he did with his flock, he fought and protected the people of Israel. David's CV qualified him to take on the giant.
3. God allowed certain challenges to happen during the course of Davids life to prepare him for greater things to come. What you learn when facing challenges and overcoming them prepares you for your destiny. These challenges are necessary for one's growth and development. Moreover, they highlight your dependency on God to overcome them which cements your relationship with Him.

The Fight

Saul offered David his own armour a bronze helmet and coat of mail. David took two steps and realised he can't use and he is not used to them.  He picked up his weapons of choice which were five smooth stones and went to face Goliath. The enemy still taunted with curses and demeaning comments and David acknowledged his weapons and that they were beneath what David had come with. He came in the name of God and he told Goliath his fate as if he was sure of what was to happen.  David took that opportunity to magnify God. Goliath attacked, David threw his stone using a sling and it hit Goliaths's forehead and he fell face first.  David took Goliath's sword and cut off his head.

1. Sauls armour can be viewed as one using another's equipment, skill or experience to face an enemy. The problem with that is that this can be uncomfortable and derail one from performing optimally. In other words, don't put on other people shoes, it might not fit and cause you to trip. People deal with things differently, and their way may not work for you.
2. The enemy will taunt till forever, and he will continue until you face him.
3. Know who you are in God, remind yourself of what is says about you to extinguish the lies whispered by the enemy.
4. David had his skills but they weren't enough. One's talent or skill can only go far but with God's anointing, nothing is impossible.
5. Goliath fell face first signifying the shame of a fallen enemy. 
6. The weapon the enemy had planned to use was used on him instead. No weapons formed against you will prosper.
7. This was the fight that got David known to people but God knew his heart prior to this hence he was anointed as king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). This was David's time for greater things to come.

The Victory

When the Philistine army saw what happened, they ran and the Israelite army pursued them. They killed and wounded many of them. David too continued to fight. Saul watched and wanted to know about David. And when David returned with the enemies head, King Saul asked about his father and where he came from.

1.  Even after such a huge victory, David never stopped pursuing the enemy, he kept on fighting. We need to fight whatever enemies we face. An enemy could be depression, anxiety, procrastination, fear etc anything that derails our progress. When you conquer one enemy especially the big ones, keep on fighting the ones left till you conquer them. This is why we all are a working progress.
2. When is victorious over an enemy, you give others the courage to face their enemies and fight.
3. A victory that benefits many gets one recognition and people want to know more about him/her.
4. David was courageous and skilled but it was God who was with him that gave him the victory.
5. David took his position against his enemy and gained victory.