Giants
1 Samuel 17:40-47
The story of David and Goliath is probably one of the best-known stories in the Old Testament. And I think at least part of the reason it’s so well-known, and so widely appreciated, is because it contains all the elements of a memorable story. There are armies… opposing forces... a larger-than-life villain… and an unlikely hero… an underdog!
I mean, who doesn’t like a story with a good underdog... where the underdog prevails in the end? It’s why we like the story of “Rudy” (aka Daniel Ruettiger… the scout team, walk-on football player at Notre Dame, who was given a chance to play in a big game, and helped his team win), or “Napoleon Dynamite” (the socially awkward teenager who became the class hero), or “Luke Skywalker” (a young kid, being raised by his aunt and uncle, who was destined to save the Republic from the evil Dark Side in Star Wars). They were all young, inexperienced, underdogs who prevailed against all odds. Very much like David.
David was the youngest of 8 sons… and his youth, his place in the pecking order, relegated him to tending to the work nobody else wanted to do… the work of shepherding... he was a shepherd boy… feeding the flocks and making sure they were safe… it was long, lonely work…
Of course, the beautiful thing about this story, for us, as followers of Christ, is that it provides us with a perfect example of how God chooses to operate.
In our weakness… He is strong…
God’s greatness and power is magnified through our weakness. We don't have to be eloquent or strong or beautiful or physically fit or handsome. We don't have to be well-traveled or brilliant or have all the answers to every question in life, to be blessed of God – and used by God. He honors faith. Our faith... your faith... my faith.
All God asks of us... is that we trust Him... that we stand before Him in humility and faith... as HE provides us with what we need to accomplish whatever it is he has called us to do! God is just waiting… waiting for us to trust Him so He can empower us to overcome the giants in our lives. And we all face giants!
Have you ever been depressed? If so, then you know that depression is a giant.
Have you ever grieved? Grief is a giant.
Have you ever faced a health crisis, or financial hardship, or relationship issues? Have you ever experienced trouble with your children? Have you ever been neglected, abused… hurt?
Giants come in various shapes… but they’re all HUGE (at least from our point of view). Our giants are seemingly impossible hurdles that cause us pain and threaten to overpower us.
Remember, Goliath was a giant... God didn’t remove David’s giant! Goliath was still an imposing presence in David’s life.
And the odds were never in David’s favor. There wasn't a single guy in the Philistine camp - or probably the Israelite camp either - who would have bet on David defeating Goliath.
But David didn't need their backing. David knew in his heart of hearts, that ALL he needed, was God - no other. So, after picking up some stones, he approached his giant, face-to-face.
And the Giant, laughed! What a joke! Just imagine! The little shepherd boy, David... standing before this massive, undefeated, intimidating warrior... unintimidated!
Intimidation. That's the MAJOR battle we confront with facing our own giants.
When our giants intimidate us, we get tongue-tied. Our thoughts get confused. We forget how to pray. We focus on the odds against us.
Intimidation causes us to forget who and Whose we are... as we stand there with our knees knocking. I wonder what God must think, when all the while He has promised us, "My power is available. There's no one on this earth greater. You trust Me."
The fact is… David's eyes were never on the giant. Intimidation played no part in his life. His eyes were fixed firmly on God. With unshakable confidence in his God, David responded, "all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD's" (17:47).
There it is... in “black & white” for all to see. The secret to overcoming the giants of this life. "The battle is the LORD's."
Are you trying to fight your own battle? Trying to do things your way? Trying to outsmart the enemy, outfox him?
You can't. But God can. And He's saying to you, "You do it My way and your giant will fall... do it your way and you're doomed to fail. The battle is Mine.”
It’s a truth echoed through out the scripture:
'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD (Zechariah 4:6)
"My grace is sufficient for you, for [My] power is perfected in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9)
“The battle is the Lord’s.”
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