RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS Part 2 – David
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
“You can overcome the limitations others put on you.”
WHEN OTHERS CAN’T SEE YOUR POTENTIAL…
- Jesse, David’s father, did not think he had King potential.
(1 Samuel 16:6-7 NIV) When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
- David’s brothers did not think he had Warrior potential.
(1 Samuel 17:28 NIV) When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
- King Saul did not think he had Champion potential.
(1 Samuel 17:32-33 NLT) “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
- Goliath did not think he had even Opponent potential.
(1 Samuel 17:43-44 NIV) He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
Everyone told David he had no potential, but he was able to:
- Go beyond his family (relational limitations)
- Go beyond the “King Sauls” (leadership limitations)
- Go beyond the “Goliaths” (skill limitations)
DAVID’S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- Limitations don’t limit us unless we let them.
(Hebrews 11:34 NIV) …quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
(Philippians 4:13 NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- Don’t try to be someone else when others impose
limitations on you.
(Ephesians 1:4a NIV) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…
- When you rise above your limitations, you can help others do the same.
(1 Samuel 17:52 NIV) Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.