True Greatness Is Determined By Good Behavior

1 Samuel 18:5-30

The Story
David was just a young lad. He was just a kid fresh from his first battle.

But David behaved himself well.

• He continued to be a faithful and loyal everyday. He knew that in order to climb to the top, he needed to take the climb one step at a time.
• He continued to carry himself well and set a good example for king Saul who had tried to kill him. He didn't become bitter or desired for revenge.
• He continued to wait on the LORD God though he had many opportunities to overthrow Saul's kingdom.
  

David had achieved true greatness.

Lessons
True greatness is not determined by the amount of money we possess, the kind of car we drive, the status we have achieved in life, or the feats that we are capable of.

True greatness is determined by how we live our lives.

Remember David after he defeated Goliath – he behaved himself well.

The Giant Killer

1 Samuel 17:32-40

The Story
There comes a time when talk must cease and action must begin.

David was to take on Goliath.

He walked down into the valley.

He faced the giant.

He slung the stone, and killed the giant.

What a moment it must have been in young David's life.

God had done that which no one but David believed possible!

David was the giant killer!

Lessons
The LORD God always trains His people by placing them in some difficult situations. In those difficult times, they will learn to trust the LORD God and walk in the power of God, and kill the giants of their lives.

Remember David against Goliath – he faced the giant and killed him by his strong belief in the power of the Almighty God.

The Real Giant

1 Samuel 17:32-40

The Story
David heard the threats and defiance of Goliath. He was determined to see him defeated.

When David expressed his intention, he was met with criticism (28) and doubt (33).

David moved towards Goliath; he was well prepared.

• He knew that he would not die that day, since the LORD God had anointed him as the next king.
• He knew that the LORD God was able to help him again, since He had helped him in the past.
• He knew that victory was in the hand of the Almighty God, and not in the army, armor or armaments.
  
• He knew that the LORD God was the only Giant he should fear, and not Goliath.
  

Lessons
The LORD God always trains His people by placing them in some difficult situations. In those difficult times, they will learn to trust the LORD God and walk in the power of God, and not fear the giant of their lives.

Remember David against Goliath – he knew that the LORD God was the real Giant that he should fear.

Against The Impossible

1 Samuel 17:32-40

The Story
Jesse sent David to check on his three elder brothers who were fighting in Saul's army. They had been gone at least 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16) and Jesse was worried. In those days, ordinary citizens would rally around the king when he called for volunteers to fight. David went as he was told.

When he arrived, he found the armies of Israel cowering in fear because of the taunts of Goliath. Even King Saul was too afraid to face the giant in battle.

David heard the giant blasphemed the Name of God and shamed the people of God.

David found himself face to face with the mighty big giant!

Lessons
The LORD God always trains His people by placing them in some difficult situations. In those difficult times, christians will learn to trust the LORD God and walk in the power of God, and not the power of the flesh.

Remember David against Goliath – God put him there to face the giant.

God Made The King

1 Samuel 16:14-23

The Story
David was trained in solitude, in secrecy, in monotonous routines, and in adversity. And these were the characteristics God developed in his life:

• David became a skilled man.
• David became a strong man.
• David became a shrewd man.
• David became a striking man.
• David became a sanctified man.

Lessons
The LORD God always trains His people by making them walk through difficult times in difficult places.

Remember David on the lonely hills of Judea – God made him a king after His Own Heart.

The Adversity Training

1 Samuel 16:14-23

The Story
David's life was not all about mundane and the routine.

• He had encounters with lion and bear (1 Sam 17:34-37).
• He had killed a giant named Goliath (1 Sam 17:40-51).
• He had been ignored (1 Sam 16:11), criticized (1 Sam 17:28), and underestimated (1 Sam 17:33, 43-44).
• He had been hated and pursued by King Saul (1 Sam 18:8-12, 19:9-10).
  

Lessons
The LORD God always trains His people by making them walk through some hard places before He use them in greater fashion in public.

Remember David on the lonely hills of Judea – God used the tool of adversity to teach David about the power, provision, and providence of God.