The example of David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam 17) is a great encouragement to us, giving us strategies for how to become more than a conqueror. David was only a young man and Goliath a 9′ 9″ ‘giant’ (bigger than Schwarzenegger!), yet David teaches us much about conquering our giants.

1. He received God’s anointing (1 Sam 16:13), even though Jesse did not consider him worth bringing in from the fields to meet Samuel. The anointing from God via Samuel became the transforming factor in David’s life, filling him with power and confidence. Jesus too received God’s anointing (see Luke 4:18) and promised we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8). We need to be like Paul, seeking to know more of Christ’s resurrection life (Phil 3:10) and seeking the anointing that breaks all yokes of slavery.
2. He recognised his opportunity. Sent on a lunch mission by his father, David seized the moment (1 Sam 17:26), not being intimidated by Goliath, Saul or the disdain of his brothers. He had confidence in God and pressed his case (1 Sam 17:36). Smith Wigglesworth once said, ‘we miss the grandeur because we lack the audacity.’ Like Bartimaeus, we need to press on, even when discouraged by others, and speak out when God gives us opportunity.
3. He relied entirely upon God. Saul offered him his kingly armour (a real honour), but David was wise enough to distinguish between hindrances and helps and knew that he had to be himself, relying entirely on God. What God had done for him in the past (delivering him from the paw of the lion and of the bear) gave him confidence that deliverance would come now (1 Sam 17:37). We need to resist the temptation and pressure to please others and determine to rely on God alone.
4. He refused to listen to the enemy’s threats. Often, we find it easier to believe what the devil says than what God says, but we must refuse to listen to the voice of fear. Goliath taunted David, predicting disaster and cursing him (1 Sam 17:43-44), but David chose not to be intimidated by fear (see 2 Tim 1:7). Fear is not just an emotion; it has a profound effect on our bodies, as Dr Caroline Leaf, a Christian neuroscientist, reminds us (‘fear marinates the body in toxic chemicals.’) We need to learn to listen to the ‘Voice of Truth’ as Casting Crowns remind us, for Prov 28:1 tells us that ‘the righteous are as bold as a lion’ – confident, unashamed and fully aware of who is King!
5. He raised his voice to prophesy Goliath’s destruction. We need to speak out with the voice of faith, as David did (1 Sam 17:45-47). As we speak out God’s promises, He is able to make these promises come to pass. Prov 18:21 reminds us that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We need to be like Caleb and Joshua, speaking out the truth of God’s Word so that we see the destruction of every enemy.
6. He ran quickly to the battle. In David, we see no fear, no reluctance, but an eagerness and enthusiasm to do God’s will. We can do this when we have a revelation of how much God loves us. After  all, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Rom 8:37).  Perfect love drives out fear (1 Jn 4:18), for we are not saved by performance, but by paternity. (Rom 8:32) When we are secure in God’s lavish love, we can do what God says we can do with alacrity and determination.

Guest speaker Yan Hadley spoke on Rom 8:37 tonight, reminding us that ‘we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us.’ We are not converted simply to cling to Christ in grim desperation, but belong to a victorious Saviour who always causes us to triumph (see 2 Cor 2:14). We are called not simply to overcome (as the message to the churches in the book of Revelation indicates) but to be ‘more than conquerors’, walking as Christ walked (1 Jn 2:6).

‘Trouble will never triumph over you’ is the phrase we must remember, for life is not easy and there will always be trials and troubles to overcome. If we are to triumph, we have to adopt a new mindset, which is done primarily through the transformation and renewing of our thinking. (Rom 12:1-2) We are called to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18); when we adopt this attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude, we are in God’s will and are strengthened by the positive attitude which thanksgiving cultivates. We must also have high expectations, based on Phil 4:13 (‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’) So often, we have negative attitudes and low expectations, but these hinder us; miracles come in cans, as Joyce Meyer says, for we must learn to encourage ourselves and confess and believe the word of God to trust that we can be all that God says we can be and can do all that He says we can do.

Rend Collective remind us:

‘We are more than conquerors through Christ

You have overcome this world, this life.

We will not bow to sin or to shame;

We are defiant in Your name.

You are the fire that cannot be tamed.

You are the power in our veins.

Our Lord, our God, our conqueror.’ (‘More Than Conquerors’, Rend Collective)

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:31-46) reminds us that practical help can be profoundly spiritual: the people commended by God were not aware that in helping the poor, needy and in prison they had actually been serving the King, but this was His conclusion: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt 25:40)

There are so many ways we can help people in the next few weeks, practical things that may not seem particularly spiritual in our eyes, but which, when offered to God, can be used in ways we can only begin to imagine.

In preparation for the Winter Wonderland outreach (18th November) and the Christmas Market (24th November), we need small items for the goody bags such as wrapped sweets and chocolates (e.g. lollipops) and gifts to include in the bags. We also need tombola prizes and raffle prizes for the Christmas Market.

The Salvation Army is holding a ‘Winter Warmer Day’ on 10th November when they will be giving out items to help the needy and homeless stay warm over Christmas. If you have any hats, scarves, gloves, or coats which could be given out on that day, please bring them to church as soon as possible. We will also be contributing hot water bottles and flasks to help with this as we have done in previous years.

The most practical gift we can offer to God is our time. If you are able to actually help at either of the Christmas outreaches (we will be doing Advent activities and giving out goody bags at Winter Wonderland and serving refreshments and fund-raising for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal at the Christmas market), even for just an hour, that would be a great help. Helping by baking goodies, serving drinks, washing up, manning stalls, wrapping presents and supervising activities are all examples of how we can give God our time to serve our local community – and in doing so, we serve Him. Before the events, we are preparing the goody bags on Wednesday 8th November (10.30 a.m. at the Salvation Army), another way you can help, even if you are unable to attend the events. There is so much we can do to serve our community. Please pray for all the outreach events and know that by your prayers, you too are offering God your time and energies for His service.