"Walking Tall"

"WALKING TALL"-a Dad’s day message (1)

Text-1st Kings 2:1-4
Preached-Sunday morning-June 17th, 2007
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Danny Moss, pastor

INTRODUCTION-

There was a movie out several years ago
about a Southern sheriff who took on evil doers
in his small town. It was based on the life of
a real person. It was called "Walking Tall."

We have just read in the Word of God about a man
who "walked tall" with God. His name was David.
David, the "man after God’s own heart." David,
the man who failed God several times. David, the
sweet psalmist of Israel, the giant killer, the
fugitive. David, the man who is called several
times in the Scriptures-"the man of God." David,
the broken-hearted father who lost his son. David,
the adulterer and murderer. David, a complex man
of many emotions and longings.

What does it mean to "Walk Tall" for God? Let’s
see what God’s word teaches us about that. We
will examine the life of David.

Humble beginnings
David was just a sheperd boy, youngest son of
Jesse. Samuel had all Jesse’s sons appear before
him, because he had been sent to annoint the next
king of Israel. Saul had failed God, and disobey-
ed Him. God sought a "man after his own heart,"
a man of sincerity and genuineness. God needed
someone to shepherd His people rightly, and David
was His chosen.

David the Conquerer
Most of us, when we think of David, usually
envision him as the "giant killer." This was a
high moment in David’s life. God was empowering
him, and using him, and David gave God all the
glory. David (1st Sam. 17:37) gave God all the
credit for delivering him in the past, and by
faith he knew God would deliver him again. David,
too small to wear the heavy armor of Saul, but
clothed with the power of God.

David the faithful friend
David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, developed a
strong, lasting devotion to each other. They
had a friendship that nothing could sever, or
destroy.

David, the persecuted

Saul’s jealousy over David’s popularity
grew stronger and stronger. Time and time again
he sought to do away with David, but to no avail.

1. Saul threw a javelin at David more than once.
2. Saul sent men to kill David.
3. Saul tried to get Jonathan to betray David.

David, the merciful, righteous one

God delivered Saul into David’s hands, but
David would not lift his hand against Saul. He
was truly "walking tall" here, for Saul wanted
to kill David, but David loved God, and God’s
annointed king too much to commit such an act.
As Kenny Rogers sang in one of his songs-"You
don’t have to fight to be a man." Sometimes it
is necessary to fight, but a good man will avoid
doing harm, if at all possible.

David, the King

And what a king he was. He was fair, and
just, and sought to lead them along the right
path. He was a good sheperd in many ways.

David, the grieving father

David saw his sons turn against him. He
wept bitterly as he learned of Absalom’s death.
He wished that he could have died instead of
his son. Life with great