Facing Giants (Part 1)
In the months of January and February, we will be considering the idea of facing our giants. There are many giants that come into our lives throughout our journey on this earth. We have the Word of God to look to for insight and victory. I would like us to consider some things out of the following texts so that we may have strength to face our giants:
| “And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. |
| Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. |
| This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (II Samuel 17:44 – 46).” |
We specifically are going to look at just two ideas in this text. First, notice in verse 46, David knows in his own strength he is powerless against Goliath. David’s faith and confidence are in the promise the Lord will deliver Goliath into his hands. This is so important when we are faced with an impossible situation at work, an overwhelming crisis financially, a physical challenge medically, or a spiritually detrimental habit. Our hope of victory is in the Lord. We must learn to go to the Lord to get a battle plan. When that battle plan is laid out by the Lord, then we can go forward in battle. This gives us pause to consider when a crisis or problem arises it is very important to whom we are turning to get a battle plan. There are numerous outlets in our society that one can turn to: the internet, the blogs, the medical world, the therapists, or some turn to abusive substances. These outlets will all result in spiritual defeat against the giants that we face in our lives. A Biblical plan will utilize the Scriptures, the local church, the advice of godly friends, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and guidance through our prayer life. God has given us multiple helps to give us victory. Don’t fall into the habit of relying on your own strength. As in the case of David, an outsider looking at it, like King Saul, may say that you are not going to be able to do this. David, though, knew that the battle plan was the Lord’s and not his own thinking. In this passage, you see the courage and confidence that having the Lord’s plan gave David. In the same way, for Christians, having God’s plan will give you courage and confidence in facing your giants.
Secondly, notice that David was not shy in letting Goliath know the details of his plan. In this case, David described the smiting of Goliath, the severing of Goliath’s head, and then the slaying of Goliath’s army so much so that Goliath’s fellow soldiers would become bird food. The confidence and courage are mind-boggling for such a young man. Here is a young man that is scoffed at by the king of the nation, and yet that does not deter his courage and the plan for the enemy. We see David walking out to face Goliath and then describing what he plans on doing detail by detail. This is what happens when God gives deliverance. He is not in the business of giving partial victory for the believer. He wants to deliver completely. It reminds me of the verse in Scripture (Hebrews 7:25) that says that God saves to the uttermost. God’s deliverance is complete.