When we face the giants of our lives (spiritual, emotional, physical or a combination,) we often fear we are not enough or do not have the tools needed to face them head on much less win.
But God has given us all we need to overcome the giant obstacles of life.
If we will just be adamant enough to trust in the gifts and talents, he has given us.
I am going to tell you the story of David and Goliath.
The Philistines were attacking the Israelite’s. Every morning a giant Philistine named Goliath challenged any Israelite to fight him. Goliath was bigger and taller than anyone else, and he was fierce. He wore heavy armor and carried a sword, spear, and large shield. No one dared to fight him.
David was a young shepherd boy who had faith in the Lord. His older brothers were soldiers in Israel’s army. One day, David took his brothers some food. When he arrived at the army’s camp, he heard Goliath’s challenge.
David asked the soldiers why no one defended Israel. His brothers were angry and told him to go take care of the sheep. But David knew the Lord would defend Israel.
King Saul knew of David’s faith, so he asked to see David. David told Saul he was not afraid to fight Goliath. David explained that once when he was looking after his sheep, he killed a lion and a bear. The Lord protected him then, and David knew the Lord would protect him now.
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 to Saul. “I’m not used to them.”
So, David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?”
And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—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 then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!
And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear.
This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.
When we face the giants of our lives (spiritual, emotional, physical or a combination,) we often fear we are not enough or do not have the tools needed to face them head on much less win.
Scripture tells us that Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He is a roaring lion, searching for people, dreams and hopes to devour.
We also know that Satan has been mortally wounded, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Like a wounded animal he is fighting out of fear and for his life, and you and the rest of mankind are his targets.
But not only do our attacks come from Satan but, they also come from own sinful nature. It can feel at times as though we are in hand-to-hand combat both within our own-selves and from forces outside of us.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.