Taking On Goliath

Chapter 1 - Preparing Our Hearts

In 1 Samuel 13 we find out why God took the kingdom away from Saul.  Saul panicked when he saw that the Philistines were gathering to attack him and that all his soldiers were running away.  In desperation he made a burnt offering, which, according to God's laws, he wasn't allowed to do.  Like most of us when we get scared and desperate, he made bad decisions.  Rather than trusting God, we take matters into our own hands and usually make things worse.

Chapter 1 - Clarity - Preparing Our Hearts - Intro

The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people…

1 Samuel 13:14

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
1 Samuel 16:13

It takes a long time to become an overnight success.  Because we rarely see the preparation and sacrifice that people go through, it can be easy to think that success just happens.  Top athletes know that in order to win, they must continually hone their skills.  They have to develop the mental and physical stamina needed in order to endure the hours of training and overcome the discouragement and challenges they'll face along the way.  It's no different in any pursuit we might choose