There is one group of people who when facing some type of giant in their lives respond in fear and are left defeated. Another group of people are able to face their giants with faith in God which leaves them victorious. What group are you a part of?
The giants people face come in many shapes. There are health issues such as brain tumors or cancer, relationship difficulties, financial struggles, or additions. When we are unable to see God as being bigger than the specific giant we face we will shrink back in fear. However, when we do see that God is bigger than our giant we tend to move forward in faith that we will have the victory.
When reading the story about Goliath in I Samuel 17:8-11 we can see that this giant tried to bully the armies of Israel by insisting they send just one man to fight him. Believing he would be victorious he committed that the Philistines would serve Israel if he was to get defeated but also said that if he prevailed that Israel would have to serve them. His confidence caused the armies of Israel to be fearful of him.
Long story short, David showed up on the scene. Up until now, he had been just a shepherd boy but, when he heard about this giant something rose up within him.
In vs. 26 he said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the Living God?” David told (vs. 31) the King (Saul) to let no man’s heart fail because of this giant and that he would take care of him.
In full confidence he also stated (vs. 36) that Goliath wouldn’t be any more difficult to kill than the lion and bear he killed while tending his father’s sheep. His faith allowed him to proclaim (vs. 37) that God would deliver him from the giant the same way that He delivered him from the lion and the bear.
Stop and think about the lions and bears in your own life. Do you remember your specific challenges? Did you face them with fear or faith?
Later, (vs. 38 – 40) we read about how David prepared for this battle. Saul offered him his armor and sword but David declined them both being that he was already equipped with his staff, a sling and five stones. His armor and weapon were tried and proven when he fought the lion and the bear.
What armor and weapons do you use? Are they tried and proven?
As David approached the giant he was taunted by him (vs. 41-44). He responded in faith as he declared, (vs. 45-47), “…I come to you in the name of the LORD of Host, the God of the armies of Israel Whom you have defied. This day the lord will deliver you into my hand and I shall strike you and take your head from you and I will give the carcasses to the army of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, so all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assemble will know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”
Now that sounds like he was pretty confident about how the Lord thinks. He announced his victory before it actually happened.
Are you confident that you have the victory before fighting the battle? Are you fighting the battle for you or the Lord? Are you trusting in your own strength or in that of the Lords?
Vs. 48-49 the giant marched towards David but David ran towards the giant even while putting a stone into his sling. Then he slung the stone striking the giant in the forehead which caused him to fall face down.
Are you running to the giant or away from him? Are you taking aim with your weapons?
How skilled are you at hitting your target when you sling the rock (truth…word) towards the giants in your life? Are you taking him down or provoking him?
Once the giant is down (vs.51) David used the giants own sword to decapitate him. In other words, the weapon used by our giants can be used to cut away their way of thinking.
What weapon did your giant have in his hand to fight you with? Take a good look, it was probably some kind of lie, or distorted truth of some kind. Maybe you were too afraid to take a good look at it so just ask the Lord for His wisdom here, He will give wisdom bountifully.
Most people tell this story in terms of the heroic actions of a shepherd boy who had only slain a lion and a bear before this Goliath appeared. The focus is rarely put on the armies of Israel who shrank back in fear.
The shepherd boy had learned to put his faith in God since he had been out in the field, all along, tending to his father’s sheep. So, when it came to facing the giant he felt confident and prepared.
Saul’s army on the other hand had learned to put their trust in their armor, their weapons and probably their numbers. They realized, however, that those things could not help them against the giant, especially if they had to go without the rest of the troops.
What or who do you put your trust in?
If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus, now is the time. Don’t wait! It is vital that we learn how to use the weapons of warfare that will give us the victory whether we face lions, bears, or giants. Ask Him to be Lord and then read your Bible daily and get into a Word preaching church that will help you grow strong.
Blessings,
Dr. Terry