1 Samuel 17:38-58 Take a Stand for God

Theological Proposition/Focus: We must have the faith and courage to stand up for God's reputation, trusting that He empowers us to face and conquer the giants that threaten His glory and our witness.

Christ Focus: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate champion who faced the greatest giant, sin and death, and conquered it on our behalf. Just as David emerged victorious with God's help, so does Christ secure victory for all believers, thus upholding and enhancing God's reputation on a universal scale.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: God often calls us to confront giants in our lives, whether they are personal struggles, societal pressures, or doubts and fears.

Introduction

Setting the Stage:

The story of David and Goliath is a classic. I've heard it countless times in Sunday school—and rightfully so. It's an incredible tale of courage and God's provision. But the story of David and Goliath is more than just a lesson in bravery; it powerfully highlights the importance of taking a stand for God's honor.

Historical Background:

To understand the significance of David's actions, it helps to look back at Israel's history. From the moment God delivered Israel out of Egypt, He called His people to be distinct—a nation that would reflect His glory among the nations. At Mount Sinai, they received God's law and entered a covenant to be His treasured possession. Yet despite His mighty acts and clear commands, Israel repeatedly struggled with fear, compromise, and idolatry. Even during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, though they witnessed miraculous victories like Jericho, moments of disobedience—such as Achan's sin—reminded the people of the cost of dishonoring God.

Examples of Boldness for God's Honor:

Still, throughout their history, there were individuals who stood boldly for the Lord's name. One example is Phinehas, who, during Israel's rebellion in the wilderness, took zealous action to stop idolatry and immorality, and God's wrath was turned away because of his faithfulness. Another is Joshua himself, who declared, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," even as others wavered. These moments build a backdrop for David's boldness. When David stepped onto the battlefield, he wasn't just confronting a giant—he was defending the honor of the living God whom Goliath had defied. David joined a line of faithful servants who refused to let God's name be mocked.

Saul's Pattern of Compromise:

By the time David faced Goliath, King Saul had already shown a troubling pattern of compromise and disobedience. Though he began with great promise—anointed by the prophet Samuel and empowered by the Spirit of God—Saul soon began to trust in his own judgment rather than in God's commands. In 1 Samuel 13, he offered a sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel, disregarding God's instructions. Later, in chapter 15, he spared King Agag and kept the best of the Amalekite spoils despite being told to destroy everything. Each act of disobedience revealed a heart more concerned with appearances and public opinion than with honoring God. By the time Goliath challenged Israel, Saul had lost the spiritual clarity and courage needed to stand for the Lord, leaving a shepherd boy—full of faith—to step forward in his place.

God's Faithful Witness:

As the king of God's people, Saul should have been the one to represent the Lord and confront the enemy who mocked not only Israel but, by implication, the God of Israel. It was Saul's role to lead with courage and to uphold the honor of God's name before the watching nations. Instead, he cowered in fear, paralyzed by the size of the challenge rather than empowered by the greatness of his God. But God is never without a witness. When the leader failed, God raised up an unlikely hero—a young shepherd boy with a heart fully devoted to Him. David's boldness was not rooted in confidence in himself, but in confidence in the Lord of hosts. Through David, God provided a faithful representative who valued His honor above personal safety or human approval.

So with that in mind, let us consider the story of David and Goliath, recognizing that

Body

God's Way is the Only Way — Taking a stand for God involves going all in (38-47).

David's decision to set aside King Saul's armor reminds us to reject worldly solutions and appearances in favor of a God-endorsed approach. David's reliance on familiar tools—his sling and stones—suggests the importance of trusting in God's unique gifts to each believer. In our lives, defending God's reputation might mean relying less on conventional wisdom and more on prayer, faith, and personal conviction, trusting like David did, that God equips us with exactly what we need for the battles we face.

We should be willing to speak boldly about God's greatness in the face of fear and intimidation, much like David did with Goliath. We need to be prepared to vocalize our faith confidently, trusting God to back our declarations with His power. Our speech can serve as a powerful testimony of our belief in God's sovereignty, helping others see His glory and prompting them to consider His power in their lives. Like David, we can claim victory for the sake of God's name and invite others to witness His intervention.

Choose God's Provisions

Verse 38 is striking. King Saul offers David his own royal armor—likely the finest available—but what's most revealing is not the gesture itself, but the subtext. Saul, Israel's king and warrior, has no intention of fighting. Instead, he offloads the responsibility—and the armor—onto a shepherd boy. The irony is deepened when we recall that David had already been anointed as the future king by Samuel. Unknowingly, Saul was handing his royal armor to God's chosen successor.

But David doesn't accept it.

Though Saul's armor represented tradition, rank, and protection, it didn't fit David—literally or spiritually. Trying to walk in it, David found it cumbersome. The scene may have even appeared comical, but its meaning is profound. David refused to be armed by a failing system; instead, he trusted the God who had always been with him. This armor wasn't designed for him. His identity as a shepherd wasn't a limitation—it was the very path God had used to prepare him.

This teaches us two powerful truths:

• We are not armed by human authority—we are armed by God. No worldly power or approval can replace divine equipping.

• God raises different kinds of leaders. David, unlike Saul, was not elevated by appearance or status, but by faith and obedience. He was a king who led from among the people, not above them.

So David enters the battlefield not as a warrior in armor but as a shepherd with a sling. He follows in the legacy of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses—leaders who trusted completely in God rather than themselves. The weapons David chose weren't forged by men but formed by God Himself—sticks and stones, simple and sacred.

Claim Victory in Faith

When Goliath realized that he was being faced not by a mighty warrior but by a shepherd boy, he was incredulous. How dare Israel send someone like this to challenge him, but then it gets worse. This shepherd is not even armed, or at least not really armed. He is merely carrying a stick and some rocks.

Goliath is outraged. Before him stands not a seasoned warrior, but a boy with a stick. He mocks David, cursing him by his gods and promising a gruesome end. But David doesn't flinch.

Instead, he proclaims one of the most powerful declarations of faith in Scripture: "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty... the battle is the Lord's." (vv. 45-47)

David didn't rely on skill or strength. He relied on God. He declared God's victory even before the battle began—not for his own glory, but so that the whole world would know that there is a God in Israel.

This is the heart of faith: believing God will move, even before He does. David didn't speak presumptively; he spoke with conviction rooted in his relationship with God.

David rightly notes that Goliath is trusting in weapons of war and might, but David is trusting in God, the God that Goliath in his arrogance has insulted. Then David does something incredible: he speaks on behalf of God, claiming that God will deliver the giant and David will remove his head. Why would God do this? David states why: so that the whole world would know that Yahweh is God and that the battle belongs to Him.

We should be cautious about claiming to speak for God unless He has clearly directed us—but when He has, we can stand firm and speak boldly.

Image: Becoming Interim Pastor

Many of you have heard this story but not everyone. Three and a half years ago I was sitting in my office at the church. Not my current office but instead the extra desk that was in Pastor David's office. As I was studying, I distinctly had the impression that I was supposed to resign from my job at UNL. It was really pretty strong so I went into Pastor Aaron's office and told him, "I think I am supposed to resign today. I don't have a job lined up but I think I am supposed to resign." I was convicted that the time had come and while God would work through me either way, He was giving me the opportunity to take a step of faith. So, I drove to campus and told the department chair that I needed to resign. He looked at me and said, "Who has made you an offer and would you be willing to give us the chance to match that offer?" "No one," I said, "I don't have a job lined up, and I actually really like my job here at UNL, but God has directed me to resign and He will provide next." He looked at me like I was crazy.

Well guess what, two weeks later Pastor Aaron called David, Myra, and myself into his office and informed us that he was taking a position at HCN and would be stepping down as Senior Pastor, recommending that the church hire me as the interim pastor. I took the plunge and God honored it.

Now, I am sure there are many other times I have missed going all in for God and missed seeing my faith answered, but I want you to know, not so that you can praise me for having faith, but rather so you can look for it in your own life. There are times when God asks us to step out and choose His way, going all in for God.

MTR: Ask yourself: "What would it take for me to go all in for God?"

Ask yourself: "What would it take for me to go all in for God?"

• Would it mean walking away from comfort or predictability?
• Would it mean laying down something that feels essential—like Saul's armor?
• Would it mean speaking up in faith when silence feels safer?

Whatever it looks like, remember: the battle is the Lord's. Victory comes not from strength, status, or strategy—but from surrender.

God's way is the only way. And it's always worth going all in.

God's Way Brings Real Victory — God's victories are worth the effort (48-51).

When God calls, real faith doesn't hesitate. David didn't stand back and deliberate—he ran forward. His quick and decisive action shows that faith isn't just belief in our hearts; it's movement in our lives. When we act on God's promises, we step into the kind of victories only He can win. Obedient courage can be contagious—when one person stands boldly for God, others often find the strength to do the same.

Like David, we can face down our giants—not because we're strong, but because our God is. Through Jesus, the ultimate victory is already secured. That frees us to move forward in faith, expecting that God will work powerfully in and through us. Don't hold back. Real victory belongs to those who trust God enough to act.

Courageously act on faith

If I had been in David's sandals, I probably would have tiptoed toward the battlefield, cautious and unsure. But not David. He didn't inch forward—he sprinted. He ran toward the giant. That kind of boldness feels almost reckless, but it wasn't—it was anchored in faith. Goliath probably expected a drawn-out fight, maybe some cat-and-mouse with a nimble opponent. But David didn't come to play defense. He came trusting God and ready to act. I imagine Goliath expected to enter into hand-to-hand combat with David and simply crush him with his powerful strength. I could picture a situation where the big Goliath faces a light-footed boy hopping around dodging attacks until finally one mistake and Goliath clobbers David. But that is not what happened. David moved quickly as he prepared to use the tools God had provided—the sling and the stone.

With every step, David prepared. Sling in hand, stone in motion, faith in God—David was unstoppable. The stone struck true, and the mighty Goliath fell flat. But David didn't stop there. Without a sword of his own, he used Goliath's—decapitating the fallen giant and sealing the victory with finality. The Philistines panicked and fled. That's what courageous faith in the hands of Almighty God can do. We need more of that—faith that moves fast.

We need that kind of courage and we need to look for that kind of victory.

Expect incredible triumphs

When you step out in faith, expect God to move. That doesn't mean adopting an attitude of entitlement—faith isn't a demand; it's trust. But don't step out half-heartedly either. Step out expecting that God will show up in power, because that's exactly what He delights to do. We aren't promised easy roads, but we are promised His presence and His strength.

Image: We exercise faith a lot in everyday life

We actually practice this kind of faith all the time without even thinking about it. You didn't plan your day around your car not starting this morning. You don't prep for dinner assuming a power outage. You probably won't rehearse a backup plan in case your hot water quits mid-shower. Why? Because you trust the systems around you to work.

So why do we treat God like He's less dependable than our appliances? If we trust the power grid, surely we can trust the One who made the stars. We need a faith that expects results—not because we earned it, but because we know the One who promised it. We need faith that runs toward the fight, not away from it.

The reality is that we already have a pretty good grasp of what it looks like to have faith and expect the results we anticipate. I think that when it comes to God, these simple cases remind us that we need more faith. We need faith that courageously runs toward the giant, faith that goes all in.

MTR: Confidently go all in for God.

Don't tiptoe into obedience. Don't delay in battle. Run forward with courage, because God's way always leads to real victory.

God's Way Inspires Faith — when we take a stand for God we can inspire others to do the same (52-58).

One of the most powerful outcomes of obedience and faith is not just personal victory, but the way it inspires others to rise in faith as well. After David defeats Goliath, the once-terrified Israelites are suddenly filled with courage. What had been a paralyzed army becomes a pursuing force. The tide turns, not just because of a sling and a stone, but because one young man trusted God completely—and that trust sparked something in others.

This is the ripple effect of godly courage. David's victory wasn't just his—it became Israel's. That's the kind of impact faith can have when it's lived out boldly and humbly.

Allow others to join in on your stand

Let's be honest—we often share the wrong stories. We recount what went wrong in our day: "My coworker backed the truck into the garage door and wrecked everything." We celebrate what others have done: "Did you see that game last night? What an incredible win!"

But how often do we share what God has done in our own lives?

"Last year, I felt led to give more than I thought I could afford. I just finished the budget—and somehow, everything still worked out."

Too often, we hesitate to talk about God's victories in our lives. Maybe we're afraid it will come off as bragging. Maybe we've just been conditioned by our culture to keep spiritual matters private. But what if it isn't bragging at all—what if sharing God's victories is one of the ways we inspire others to trust Him?

In verses 52-54, we see a powerful moment: David's faith fuels the faith of an entire nation. Once Goliath falls, the men of Israel surge forward, pursuing the Philistines all the way to their cities. This is not mere defense of Israel; this becomes a surge into Philistine territory. The text doesn't just speak of movement—it speaks of overwhelming victory, plunder, and boldness.

One man's obedience led to a nation's courage.

There's a lesson for us here: our personal victories in faith can—and should—be shared to strengthen the faith of others. Not in arrogance. Not to elevate ourselves. But to elevate God.

I'm not encouraging spiritual arrogance. I am encouraging honest celebration of what God is doing in your life. And I'll be honest: it saddens me that I often hear more stories about someone's favorite team pulling off an upset than I do about God showing up in real, powerful ways.

So, here's the question: how do we "brag on God" in a way that doesn't point to ourselves, but to Him?

Remain humble in God's victories

As the chapter closes, Saul finally starts asking questions. He had allowed David to fight, but he hadn't even taken the time to learn his name. Now, after Goliath's death, Saul suddenly wants to know who this young man is.

David's response is telling. He doesn't say, "I'm the guy who just saved Israel." He doesn't announce that he's the rightful king. He doesn't demand recognition or reward. Instead, he simply says, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem." (v. 58)

No pomp. No self-promotion. Just humility.

David had every reason to boast. He had just accomplished what no one else was willing to attempt. But his tone is one of quiet confidence and humility. His posture is: "I'm not better than you, Saul. I'm just being faithful to what God asked me to do."

That kind of humility is rare. But it's powerful. I've known people who consistently speak about what God is doing in their lives without sounding self-righteous or prideful. They know how to brag on God while making it clear that He is the hero of the story—not them. That's the example we want to follow.

MTR: As you celebrate God's victories, make a point of remaining humble.

Ask yourself: Am I making space to talk about what God is doing in my life? When I do, does it point people to Him—or to me?

Sharing your story of faith can be one of the greatest encouragements to those around you. Just make sure it's done with a posture of humility.

When you take a stand for God, others are watching. Let your obedience spark their courage. Let your faith stir theirs. Let your victories be a window into God's power—not your own.