Stepping Out

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.

A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The young man slept soundly.

The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young farmhand’s preparations--he just faithfully did what was needed each day.

This past week, God did things in and through you

He began to prepare you for the things that lay ahead

He doesn’t perform an in working or prepare you to that degree for you to sit on the sidelines

1 Samuel 17:32-40

· When you are spiritually prepared, you won’t listen to discouragement

It’s one thing to be discouraged by the enemy

But even those who are in your own camp can discourage you – it happened to David twice in this situation

Don’t let people discourage you because of your age

God doesn’t look at your age – He looks at your willingness to submit to Him

· Prepare during the times of peace

David tells Saul of the times in the pasture attending sheep about how he fought the lions and bears

God can test you even in the peaceful pastures

Be prepared

You never know when you will be in a wartime situation

David didn’t go to the frontlines of the battle expecting to fight a giant

We discussed about “religious” experiences will not sustain you

· Don’t lean on mankind to prepare you (v 38-39)

People can give good advice

But often times they can hinder you even with good intentions

· Allow the Lord to use you with what He has given you (v 40)

Even in the times of difficulty (war), prepare

God can use even the most simplest of things to accomplish mighty works

David picked up five stones

Why five? David only had one shot (2 Samuel 21:18-22)

After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants. In still another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam! In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—a descendant of the giants— defied and taunted Israel. But he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. These four Philistines were descended from the giants of Gath, but they were killed by David and his warriors.

There were four other giants in the Philistine