KASUMIGAOKA
2017/06/11 SERMON: “Faith That Overcomes Fear” 「恐怖を乗り越える神様への信仰」
TEXT: I Sam. 17: 1-32
I. INTRODUCTION
David was the most celebrated warrior king of Israel’s long history. Today we will begin to consider the most important single battle of David’s career. It is the very first battle of David that is recorded in the Bible, and the outcome established David’s reputation as a bold warrior and a leader of men. Last week we learned how the Spirit of the Lord prepared David for the kingship to which God had called him. The work of God’s Spirit introduced David to the royal court of King Saul. Today we will see how the Spirit of God equipped David for the first of many battles he would fight as God’s anointed King in Israel. Next week, we will look at the physical combat between David and Goliath. But before that physical battle, David must first fight a psychological or spiritual battle. He must overcome the fear which the Philistines used as a means to demoralize Israel. That is often the first step toward achieving victory in any contest. Fear often stands in the way of success. But God’s Spirit enabled David to overcome fear—both his own fear, and the fears of the other soldiers–so that he could lead Israel to victory.
Today I want to consider the fears that David confronted and how he overcame them, before his battle with Goliath. Why is fear a danger to faithful Christian living, and how can we overcome the fears that sometimes limit our effectiveness as Christians?
II. THE FEARS DAVID HAD TO FACE AND OVERCOME
A. The Philistine Strategy using Fear.
Our passage today begins with the Philistine army’s invasion of the territory which belonged to David’s tribe—that is, Judah. “Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah” (v.1). At that time, Philistia was divided into city-states, each ruled by its own “king.” So these little kingdoms joined forces and invaded Israel. Even though Israel was now united under one king, Saul was still dependent on each of the tribes of Israel to gather its own militia (or “self-defense force”) to defend the new Kingdom of Israel against her enemies. Saul and the militias gathered to resist the invaders and they “drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines” (v. 2). When the armies faced each other, each one gathered on a mountaintop, with a broad valley between them. As soon as they had gathered, the Philistines surprised the army of King Saul by sending a “champion” with a message for Israel. The champion’s name was “Goliath,” from the Philistine city of Gath.
In theory, the idea of sending out a “champion” (the word in Hebrew means “go-between”) to represent the army seems humane. If each side sent their best warrior, the outcome of the battle could be decided by those two men, and only one warrior would die. This was Goliath’s proposal, as we read in verses 8-9. “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” I doubt that many armies actually fought their battles using champions. Even in this case, when their champion was defeated, Philistine army did not immediately surrender to Israel and become Israel’s servants! Instead, they took their weapons and fled the battlefield. We will read more about that next week.
Anyway, it is clear that the purpose of Goliath’s challenge was not to be humane! The purpose of Goliath’s challenge was to frighten and intimidate the armies of Israel. It is easier to defeat an enemy when the enemy lacks the resolve to stand and fight. Fear takes away a man’s resolve and induces panic. That was the strategy of the Philistine army. They sent their great “champion”–the giant Goliath—to frighten the armies of Israel. He was their “secret weapon”—the “nuclear missile” in the Philistine arsenal! Everything that is written here about Goliath is designed to instill fear in the armies of Israel. First, there is the enormous size and strength of this champion. The Bible records numerous instances of “giants” whose height was well over 8 feet. Goliath’s height was about 10 feet! Human skeletons have been discovered in Palestine that date from about the same period which are similar to Goliath in size. Second, his armor and weapons proclaimed his invincibility. The weight of his scale armor (from shoulders to knees) was about 60 kilograms (5000 shekels)! With bronze helmet and greaves Goliath was protected from head to foot. In addition to a sword, his weapons included a spear and a throwing javelin. His great shield was carried before him by his shield-bearer. Goliath appeared indestructible! Who could possibly overcome such strength or penetrate such defenses? Thirdly, if his appearance was not enough, the words of his challenge would certainly intimidate Israel’s armies. Goliath shouted, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man, and let us fight each other.” It was the Philistine strategy to frighten and demoralize their opponents by sending out Goliath, and their strategy succeeded. For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath repeated this display of power and contempt (v. 16). “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid” (v. 11). During these forty days the armies of Israel were paralyzed with fear and could not move against the Philistines to drive them out of their country. David’s three oldest brothers were serving in Saul’s army. When they did not come home, and no news of battle reached Bethlehem, their father Jesse sent David to bring them food and to bring back news from the battle front. Even though he had been anointed to be the next king in Israel, David, the youngest son, had faithfully stayed at home to serve his father and to care for his sheep. But when his father sent him to the battlefield, he rose early in the morning and hurried to the Israelite camp. As soon as he arrived, David saw Goliath and heard his scornful challenge. David also saw the fear created by Goliath among the armies of Israel. Verse 24 says, “When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.”
B. How David Overcame His Fear
I think it would not be true to say that David felt no fear. I think that David was among “all the men of Israel” who saw Goliath and were afraid. But David also saw something else: he saw the possibility of defeating this imposing Philistine warrior. David had a vision of victory. We learn this from v. 26. “David spoke to the men who were standing by him saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”
Why could David imagine defeating this “invincible” warrior, when no one else could? I think it is because David remembered the promises of Israel’s covenant God. The other soldiers saw the terrifying warrior; but David saw a flesh and blood Philistine man standing before “the armies of the living God.” Goliath was a big man, but he was only a man. On the other hand, standing with the armies of Israel was “the living God!” Goliath was not only taunting Israel, he was taunting the living God. David knew that God is righteous, and would not allow this man to escape from His judgment. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31)! “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7)! This is one of the basic themes of Scripture; no one will escape the righteous judgment of God. David believed this. He knew that this giant adversary would certainly fall before God. So, while others saw an invincible warrior, David saw a foolish man inviting the terrible judgment of God. David trusted God to defeat this Philistine. Faith in God’s righteous character gave David courage to overcome his fears.
So, while the other soldiers of Israel, and even King Saul, were paralyzed with fear, David began to move among them, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine?” “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” David was quietly encouraging them not to give up, but rather to think of victory! Think of the reward! Think of the honor to gain for Israel, and for their God! David was not claiming that honor for himself; rather he was encouraging the soldiers around him, as Joshua had encouraged the army of Israel long ago, saying, “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Goliath was not the only one who challenged David’s faith and courage. There was one more challenge that David had to face: disapproval and criticism from his own family. In some ways, this may have been the most difficult for him to deal with. For many people, fear of opposition from one’s family or friends prevents them from doing what is right in God’s sight. David had to face unfair criticism from his own brother. (v. 28) “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, ‘Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” Eliab was probably still feeling keen disappointment from being passed by, when Samuel anointed his “little brother” to be the next king. Now, when he sees David going among the men, encouraging them to be strong, to overcome their fears, Eliab’s jealousy and anger overflow. He tries to humiliate his younger brother with false and degrading accusations. He treats David like a small child, accusing him of abandoning his “few sheep” in the wilderness and neglecting his responsibilities, in order to watch the “men” fight a battle. I am sure those words hurt David deeply. They were sharp words, unfair and untrue. And, worst of all, the criticism came from one of his own family. David had little to say in reply. “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?” he asked. But despite the mockery and humiliation by his brother, David was not discouraged. Later in life, David wrote Psalm 27. Maybe he was remembering this experience when he wrote these words: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear” (27:1-3a). David does not specifically mention his brother’s harsh words in that Psalm, but he does refer to opposition from one’s own family. In Psalm 27: 10 he says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” David’s confidence did not rest upon other people, but upon the Lord his God. Because he trusted in God, David did not fear the disapproval of men.
And he continued trying to encourage the other men. “He turned away from [Eliab] to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before” (v. 30). He continued to fight against their fears with his vision of God’s victory. So he said to the others, “Think of the glory of victory, not of the misery of defeat!” Maybe some of the soldiers were encouraged by David’s questioning, but still no one volunteered to fight against the Philistine champion. Finally, David’s words were reported to the king. When he was called into the presence of the king, David said, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” David voluntarily offered his own service, even his own life, in order to show that his faith in God was not merely “words.” No one expected young David to sacrifice his own life in order to accept Goliath’s challenge, but that is what David was prepared to do, if necessary. He was ready to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” as long as the Lord was with him. That is what it means to “walk by faith.” It is not enough to talk about trusting God; it is also necessary to put one’s faith into action. David trusted God to overcome his foe. David’s faith in God gave him courage to overcome his fears and to face the Philistine.
III. CONCLUSION
As we think about David’s experience, what is God teaching us about facing our own fears? We all have fears. It is said that fear helps us to avoid danger. But fear can often affect us the same way it affected the armies of Israel. It can make us weak and vulnerable. Fear can paralyze us. Let’s not forget what David’s experience teaches us about fear.
First of all, when you are afraid, do not forget that God is always in control. He always accomplishes what He plans; the Lord Jesus Christ has already won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. When you feel afraid, remember that He is with you. His power will sustain you.
Second, examine your fears carefully. Sometimes we must avoid doing what we fear. Moses would not permit fearful soldiers to enter into battle. The officers must tell their troops, “Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart” (Deut. 20:8). In other words, we should not let our fear discourage others and endanger them.
Third, we should not let fear keep us from obeying God. He will enable us to do what He commands us. We must simply trust God about this. We all need to walk by faith, not being immobilized by fear. As Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:7), “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline.” In order to serve God faithfully, we will need to overcome many fears, relying on the help of His Holy Spirit. When we overcome our own fears, we will be able to encourage others, too, just as David did. (1 Thess. 5:8-11)