The Acceptance of David to Battle Goliath: Part One by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

In 1 Samuel 17:32, we find that young David made himself available to the Lord and accepted the challenge to confront a giant enemy of Israel that left everybody else petrified, paralyzed, and panicky like sheep when the wolf appears at the fold, or like a crowd watching the ground shake beneath them. This verse is loaded with wonderful treasures of truth that are found by doing some digging with a spiritual shovel. The words are packed with truth: * like treasure in a chest, waiting to be unlocked. * like thunderclouds heavy with rain, ready to pour down blessing. * like arrows in a quiver, ready to strike the heart with conviction. * like stars in the night sky, each one shining with light and direction. The meaning of key words, and even the tenses of the Hebrew words, bring forth a harvest of helpful insights that are challenging and uplifting to any Christian. Oh, what a day may bring forth in our lives. Little did David realize he would be speaking with the king of Israel when he got out of bed in the dark hours of the morning to head to the battlefield. He thought he was just going to deliver groceries and get a status report on his brothers, but God had different plans for him on this day. He would go from tending sheep to triumphing over Goliath. David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him." There are some great truths packed in this statement. We take a good look at the word “said,” and the great truths here. David's declaration was a turning point in the story. One voice of faith shifted the atmosphere of a fearful nation from hopelessness to hope. We look at six people who spoke words of faith that influence many people for Christ. We also take a look at five reasons why the hearts of people fail because of their fear. This message was preached on Wednesday night, March 11, 2026, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.