Out of the Paw of the Lion
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past deliverances to face current giants with faith and courage.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past deliverances to strengthen our faith in facing current crises. He draws parallels between David's confrontation with Goliath and our own struggles with daunting problems, urging us to recall how God has previously rescued us from difficult situations. Just as David faced Goliath with confidence rooted in his experiences with the lion and the bear, we too can confront our giants by reflecting on God's faithfulness. Wilkerson encourages believers to find courage and victory through the remembrance of God's past interventions in their lives.
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It is for our own benefit that God tells us to remember. The memory of our past deliverances helps to increase our faith for what we are going through right now.
Are you facing a crisis? Do you have a menacing giant of a problem, at home, at work, or in your family? The only way to face a giant is to do as David did: remember the lion and the bear. By remembering God's faithfulness to him in his past crises, David could go up against Goliath without fear.
When David volunteered to fight Goliath, "Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him.... And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth.... Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them" (1 Samuel 17:33-36).
David knew the danger he was facing against Goliath. He wasn't some novice, a naïve kid full of bravado and looking for a fight. No, David was simply remembering his past deliverances. And now he looked his enemy squarely in the eye and stated, "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" (17:37).
Multitudes of God's people today face giants on all sides. Yet many cower in fear. Does this describe you? Have you forgotten the time you were so sick that you were close to death, but the Lord raised you up? Do you remember that financial disaster when you thought, "That's it, I'm finished," yet the Lord saw you through it, and has kept you to this day?
There are many things we don't understand and we won't understand until we are home with Jesus. But I absolutely believe that God can heal, and that he has a way out of every situation. The question for us is, where do we find the faith, the courage, to stand up and gain victory in him?
It comes only by remembering the lion and the bear. It comes when you're able to recall the incredible faithfulness of God, and the past victories he has given you. You can't face a giant until you're able to envision and understand the majesty and glory of God in your life.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The importance of remembering past deliverances
- How memory increases faith
- Facing current crises with past victories
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II
- David's example of remembering the lion and the bear
- The significance of David's faith in facing Goliath
- Understanding the context of David's challenges
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III
- Common giants faced by believers today
- The tendency to cower in fear
- The need to recall personal testimonies of God's faithfulness
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IV
- God's ability to heal and provide
- Finding faith and courage in God
- The role of envisioning God's glory in overcoming obstacles
Key Quotes
“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.” — David Wilkerson
“You can't face a giant until you're able to envision and understand the majesty and glory of God in your life.” — David Wilkerson
“It comes only by remembering the lion and the bear.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Reflect on your past experiences of God's faithfulness to build your faith.
- Identify the giants in your life and confront them with the assurance of God's support.
- Cultivate a habit of recalling God's past victories to strengthen your courage in present challenges.