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My yoke is easy, and my burden is light

David and Goliath - Reaction to Weakness

Summary

- David and Goliath story told in a different way.
- My life - fighting my weakness.
- Sin vs Weakness vs Weak things.

Who was David?

- Son of Jesse, from Bethlehem, 8 sons, 3 oldest went to the battle, David was the youngest.

- Shepherd, went to bring food for his brothers.

- Killed a lion and a bear to protect a lamb.

- Faithful believer, but proud and naughty:

Brother of David: “ I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”

Who was Goliath?

- a champion

- six cubits and a span, 9 feet 6, 2m10cm

- heavy armour (five thousand shekels, 150 lbs, 70kg)


Where did they meet?

between Shochoh and Azekah, valley of Elah, between the coast and Jerusalem.


Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side


What happened?

Goliath: “ Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

1 Samuel 17

Israel: “ 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”

“ 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.”

David: “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”

Goliath: “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?”

David: “45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”


Elder Gary E. Stevenson (Apr 2019): “Relying on the Lord, with a plan, David saved not only himself but the army of Israel! Know that the Lord will be with you as you summon your courage to be on His side. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

He can open doors and help us find strengths and abilities we never knew we had.

Listen to your trusted coaches, such as your parents, bishop, and Young Men leaders. Learn the playbook. Read the scriptures. Study the words of modern-day prophets. Create your own game plan of how you will prove yourself as a disciple of Christ.

Know in advance the plays you will employ to strengthen your spirit and avoid the snares of the adversary.

Do this and God will surely utilize you.”


What to do?

“Pray every day for greater light and a testimony of Jesus Christ.

    Listen carefully to the teachings of your parents, your bishop, and your Young Men and quorum leaders.

    Avoid pornography and immoral social media content.

    Remember the promises you have made to God, and work to keep them.

    Study scripture stories of great prophets, and emulate their good qualities.

    Bless Heavenly Father’s children through service.

    Seek good friends to help you become the person you want to be.

    Become an expert in the FamilySearch app, and research your own family history.

    Plan places of retreat where you can escape evil influences.

    Love and help strengthen other members of your priesthood quorum.”

Conclusion

Sin

  • wilful disobedience to God, breaking commandments knowingly, choosing Satan instead of letting God prevail.
  • Encouraged by Satan.
  • Jesus didn’t have it.
  • Our response: Repentance
  • God’s response: Forgiveness
  • Results to being cleansed from sin

Weakness

  • Human limitations, infirmity, Unworthiness and fallen nature. God send us to the Earth to experience this state in order to grow spiritually and we shouted out of joy.
  • Part of our mortal nature. The natural men is an enemy of God.
  • Jesus had to experience weakness.
  • Our response: Humility, faith in Christ, and efforts to overcome.
  • God’s response: Grace—an enabling power
  • Results in Acquiring holiness and strength. Making weak things become strong.

Weak things

  • Natural symptoms of our fallen nature.
  • Not from God. But he allows us to be tempted by Satan.
  • Unusual desires, addictive tendencies, hunger, fatigue, lack of wisdom, skills, stamina and strength. Subject of temptations of any kind.
  • “God made me this way, so it’s not my fault,” or, “Why would God make me this way, and then tell me it’s wrong?”
  • Not sins. How react to them might cause us to sin.
  • We cannot simply repent of being weak — nor does weakness itself make us unclean.
  • The way we react to weakness determines if we become weak or strong.
Examples: David, Joseph, me, Aline, The prophets and apostles, Jesus

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