Sunday Sermon Summary – June 23 2024

FACING DISCOURAGEMENT 

1 Samuel 17: 31-37

Our reading today is about David facing Goliath. When David went to meet his brothers who were serving in the army of Saul he faced discouragement; but he overcame them. 

1. Discouragement from Family 

1 Samuel 17: 28

When David’s oldest brother Eliab saw David enquiring about Goliath; he was angry with him and compelled him to leave and to go and take care of the sheep. Eliab and all other brothers knew very well that David was anointed to be king over Israel. Nevertheless, his brothers treated him with contempt. David faced strong discouragement from his family.  But that did not stop him from his goal. David had determined to face Goliath in a dual fight. 

2.  Discouragement from Authority 

1 Samuel 17: 33

David was taken to king Saul.  When king Saul looked at David he had no confidence that he will be able to combat the Philistine giant Goliath. So again, David faced discouragement.  This time it was from the king himself. Many times, we could face discouragement from those who are in authority. They will put us away as unfit for the task.  We must never succumb to discouragement. Our trust is in our God. David narrated his experience to king Saul of how he had killed a lion and a bear.  We must remind ourselves of the victories God has given us in the past and draw courage to face our challenges.  

3.  Discouragement from Adversary 

1 Samuel 17: 44

Finally, David faced the biggest discouragement from Goliath himself.  Goliath disdained David. He tried to scare him by his enormous stature and strength.  David was not discouraged by Goliath. He said, “You come with your sword and your spear;  but I come in the name of the God of the armies of Israel.”   David effortlessly brought down Goliath because he was not discouraged by his threats. God is inviting us to trust him and his promises.  We must never be discouraged by the situation we are in. We must gather strength from the Word of God and move forward towards our goal. May God help us to be strong when we are discouraged. May God help us to overcome all kinds of discouragement and move forward.   Amen