I am sure you have heard the story of David and Goliath. I am certain you have read it in the Bible and maybe you have heard many teachings and read books about it, but have you ever put yourself in the place of David? Have you ever visualized yourself as that small, many may have said insignificant person standing beside this huge mean looking giant? To be honest, I never had, until last week, as I was washing dishes and looking out my kitchen window. I pictured my giants and heard the discouraging words they like to whisper … “what makes you think that God is listening? Look around, can you see anything happening?” I saw their menacing looks trying to fill me with fear wanting me to give up. I saw me, my face pale and my knees weak. I looked so small and fragile and for a second I thought I would crumble at the site and cry, but no… I started telling the giants what was going to happen and how God was going to make it happen. And I realized how much fun it is to speak out loud to the giants!
God’s Word is powerful and we should speak it out loud often, “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1) “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.” (Matthew 24:35) Sometimes we look too long at the massive challenges in front of us and we start doubting instead of looking only to God and speaking with confidence the promises that He has made, declaring that our Redeemer lives and He is already fighting for us. “The Lord himself will fight for you. You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense!” (Exodus 14:14)
David knew God was by his side and this gave him the confidence he needed to fight Goliath. He knew God would not let him down, and he was not shy about it either “You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty- the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head…And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours.”
(1 Samuel 17:45-47)
Don’t you love that assurance? Wouldn’t it be nice to speak to our giants like that all the time? If we know God, if we trust Him and if we know He is for us, I wonder why sometimes it is hard to affirm it and believe it? Why do we allow ourselves to get caught in the lies the enemy tells us? I guess that is why David didn’t wait too long and “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.” (1 Samuel 17:48) He ran toward his giant before he would get scared or think too much about it.
So, the first step is to know who is doing the fighting, the second is making the decision to fight and the third is doing it. But get ready because giants don’t give up easily; it may be a tough struggle, but you know who wins. And don’t expect a cheerleader squad either, I am not trying to bring you down, I am just being realistic. David found discouragement from his own family “David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. ‘What are you doing around here anyway?’ He demanded. ‘What about those few sheep you are supposed to be taking care of?” (1 Samuel 17:28) and the king, Saul said “Don’t be ridiculous! Saul replied. There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” (1 Samuel 17:33)
Or maybe people around you agree, but they may have an opinion on how you should tackle the problem “Then Saul gave David his own armor – a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested. ‘I am not used to them.’ So he took them off again.” (1 Samuel 17:38-39) As you go into battle, it is good to listen to advice, but not everything will be helpful, so guard your time with God because it is essential as we face our giants… really it is crucial for everything in life. Only God can guide our steps and we need to do what God says, even if it doesn’t make much sense to everyone else. By now you must know that God loves to make possible what seems impossible in the most unusual ways.
David knew that it was not him who defeated the giant, it was not his preparation, his experience or the weapons he used, it was God. His unshakable faith allowed God to work the miracle… are you ready to see giants fall at your feet? Start telling them that God is in charge!
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