YOU INTIMIDATE ME!

“This day I defy, [I dare] the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, and let us fight each other…” (1 Samuel 17:10). And Israel’s response? “On hearing [Goliath’s] words], Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified…” (1 Samuel 17:11).

Don’t Surrender To Negative Voices

“Let no one lose heart, on account of this Philistine” David exclaims, “your servant, [me!] will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32).

And “…Saul replied. “You are not able to go…against the Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, [but Goliath] has been… fighting…from …youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33).

“When I was growing up” Muggsy once reflected, “I used to take some chalk, put it on [the]...door in my room and measure how tall I was. [But] I got so fed up, because I was never growing; so I decided: [I’ll] just erase this…” – Muggsy Bogues

“… [fill] your minds… [with what is] true…gracious— the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly…Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4:6, The Message).

Remember God’s Faithfulness, Not Just Your Fear.

‘I know you think I’m too young, too inexperienced, too weak Saul; but Saul “your servant, [me], has been keeping his father’s sheep [for some time now]… [And] when [the lion or bear] turned on me, I seized it…and killed it…” [1 Samuel 17:34-35]. So go figure Saul. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion…and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of [big, bad wolf, Goliath]!! (1 Samuel 17:37).

“…Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones [as a remembrance, as a memorial]… [And Joshua] said to the Israelites…In the future when your descendents ask…“What do these stones mean?” – tell them… [They represent the faithfulness of the Lord; for the Lord did deliver us. And so these stones help us to remember]…the hand of the Lord is [almighty and all] powerful…” (Joshua 4:19-21; 24).

Let God Lift Your Worrisome Load.

“Then the Spirit of the Lord… [spoke]…Listen King Jehoshaphat [and all of Israel]…Do not be afraid or discouraged, because of this vast army [this big, bad, wolf]. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15; 17).

1) I’m Called To Make A Contribution, Not Be A Savior; 2) God Really Is Sovereign, Able To Triumph Over Anything That Prompts Worry Or Fear; 3) God Really Is Sovereign, Able To Redeem Any Apparent ‘Defeat,’ Working All Things Together For Good.

Let God be Savior, let God be Sovereign – ‘letting go’ of your heaviest, most brutal, most fearsome load.

o I will “…not lose heart…” (1 Samuel 17:32). o I will not be afraid or discouraged (2 Chronicles 20:15). o “…I will stand firm and [anticipate] the deliverance the Lord will give…” (2 Chronicles 20:17

for Church it’s true: “…The hand of the Lord is [almighty and all] powerful…” (Joshua 4:24)

We have a big, wonderful, energetic God – who is Sherpa – Sovereign – Savior – able to protect all!!