* ** Carmel story of teacher who was scared to death about culture **

* BACKSTORY - the book of Psalms is by-and-large David’s prayer journal.

* He was fearful and frustrated A LOT!

* But we see what he was thinking about when he prayed.

* He remembered HISTORY to draw strength and courage in his present moment.

* History is God’s Story played out in human life.

* When you read it, it “encourages” you - makes you courageous.

* The devil wants to do two things to keep you fearful & frustrated:

* Make you not care about history - don’t pay attention to it.

* Re-write history.

* Vs 5-12 - Remember Og & Sihon - two giants of old.

* Og is mentioned 22 times in Scripture. Why?

* So we can be “encouraged” to keep fighting!

* According to the Talmud, Og and Sihon were brothers.

* Both are depicted sitting on the walls of their respective capital cities with their legs reaching down to the ground.

* Og was 12 feet tall and weighed nearly 500 lbs.

* His bed was made of iron (in 1914 an archaeologist found a bed that fit this size).

* They weren’t just physical giants, but they had money and power as well.

* Yet the Israelites defeated them both and took what was theirs!

* Psalms 136:17-22 - remember these dudes!