Confident Faith in Yahweh-Sabaoth
Scripture: Isaiah 1:24 NIV
Suggested Decorations
Print the names of God on different size paper. (PDF file attached.) Purchase inexpensive frames from the dollar store. Place the framed pictures in the center of the tables. At the end of the meeting, give them away as door prizes.
Suggested Refreshments
Donut holes. These symbolize the five stones that will be talked about in the devotion.
Suggested Activity
See the link below for instructions on how to make Christmas ornaments with the names of God. These can be used on the Corps Christmas tree or given as gifts. Each woman could make all 12 or you could have one woman choose a specific name. A pdf ornament pattern, both regular and flipped, is attached. These different than the patterns created in the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2tr4_r5LoE
Wordsearch Puzzle
Create a wordsearch puzzle using the following site: https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/word-search
Suggested Worship Outline
Call to Worship Psalm 121
Song #521/599 “Dare To Be A Daniel”
Prayer Requests/Praise Reports Pastoral Prayer
Igniter Video (Costs $12) “Five Smooth Stones”
https://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/103118/five-smooth-stones
Facing our Giants
Everyone loves a good underdog story. Rocky, a poor man from Philly, beats the heavyweight champion of the world…in all 4 movies! You’re probably thinking of your favorite underdog story right now—Karate Kid, Rudy, Cinderella. We all cheer when the least likely person conquers the great obstacle and becomes the hero.
We’re all familiar with the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel. (Have several of the women read this portion of scripture: 1 Samuel 17: 1 – 50).
At face value, we see a small shepherd boy who is up against an enormous giant that evokes fear in everyone. What we’re told about David in this passage of Scripture is that he lives a simple life, day in and day out taking care of his sheep. Some days there were extraordinary circumstances where he used his sling to kill would-be predators that threatened his flock. But most saw him as unskilled, and the least likely to defeat a giant.
One important point to remember from this story is David’s refusal to wear the King’s armor. David didn’t allow himself to be something he was not. He recognized that he was most comfortable facing dangerous situations with his slingshot and stones.
When you’re standing face to face with your giant, who are you and what resources are you using to overcome your giant? This world will try to tell you you’re not enough and you don’t have what it takes to overcome your obstacles. But through David, we are reminded that we are enough because we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We may feel ill-equipped or even ordinary, but God is preparing us for our future.
Another point is that David fully relies on God for deliverance and strength. He has confident faith in God’s protection and provision. David said to the Philistines in verse 45, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
The Lord Almighty comes from one of God’s names in the Bible, Jehovah Sabaoth. You’ll also find it translated as the Lord of Hosts. This name of God is used nearly 300 times in the Old Testament. Yahweh Sabaoth declares God as a powerful warrior who will defend His people. In this portion of Scripture, David is declaring his confidence comes in knowing Yahweh Sabaoth will fight on his behalf.
No matter what we face, no matter the giant before us, God is with us. He will defend and protect us. You have been equipped through the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome your giants. When you feel overwhelmed and powerless, cry out to Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts, and take courage, and know that it is He who goes before you to face your giants.
In closing play the song Sanctus Real “Confidence.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGGVmSSr-I
Closing Prayer
