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Speak, Lord, We’re Listening

November 1, 2026 | 1 Samuel 17 — David and Goliath

This Sunday, our pastor returned to our church’s theme for the year: “Speak, Lord, We’re Listening.”

Using the familiar story of David and Goliath, he drew our attention to something we might easily overlook: the different voices David encountered and whose voice he chose to listen to.

David encountered three challenging voices:

First, the voice of Goliath. For forty days, Goliath had intimidated the armies of Israel. Everyone heard his threats, including David. But David responded differently because he knew the Lord and remembered God’s faithfulness.

Second, the voice of his brother Eliab. Rather than encouraging David, Eliab questioned his motives and accused him of arrogance. Sometimes discouraging voices come from those closest to us.

Third, the voice of King Saul. Saul told David he was too young and inexperienced to face Goliath. Even those in positions of authority can speak words that cause us to question our calling or abilities.

The pastor emphasized that David didn’t receive a new, audible word from God at that moment. Instead, he remembered what God had already done.

David recalled God’s faithfulness when he had faced lions and bears while protecting his father’s sheep. His confidence wasn’t simply in his own abilities but in the God he had come to know through experience.

The central question of the sermon was:

“Whose voice are you going to choose to listen to?”

Our circumstances, past experiences, fears, and even the opinions of others may speak loudly into our lives. But they don’t have to have the final word.

The pastor reminded us that God spoke first, at creation, and that His Word continues to stand.

Finally, David’s declaration to Goliath captures the heart of the message:

“I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.” — 1 Samuel 17:45

David trusted that the battle belonged to the Lord, but that didn’t mean he remained inactive. He still stepped forward in obedience.

The encouragement for us is to cultivate a relationship with God, remember His faithfulness, recognize the voices competing for our attention, and respond in obedience to what He has already spoken.