Facing Your Giants
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” —Psalm 118:6
We all have giants in our lives. We all face hardships, obstacles that appear insurmountable and problems that we think are too difficult to overcome. But consider the physical giant that David defeated in I Samuel 17. The odds were stacked against David. On paper, David didn’t stand a chance against Goliath. But David won. And we will win, too.
Listen to God: David was willing to listen to God. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, belittled him (v. 28). Saul told David he had no chance against the giant (v. 33). But David didn’t listen to them. He listened to God: “I will hear what God the Lord will speak” (Ps. 85:8). How much better would we be if we didn’t worry about what people think or say? Critics, backbiters, fault-finders, liars, false teachers—they all want to bring you down. But no one else can fight your battles for you. It’s more important what God thinks about what you’re doing and saying.
Trust in God: David had trusted in God before and was not let down (v. 31-37). His past victories gave him confidence in the face of the current battle: “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Ps. 9:10). We get in a tight spot, reflect on what God has already delivered you from. The challenge before you is never as great as the Power behind you.
Be prepared: David went into battle prepared (v. 38-40). He didn’t need to be like Saul or Goliath. He needed to be David. He needed to do what he could do. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” David didn’t choose someone else’s weapon. He chose what would empower him. He played to his strengths. We, too, must prepare ourselves for this spiritual battle we’re engaged in by putting on the whole armor of God. Psalm 144:1 says, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
Bottom line: We must show up for the battle ready to fight. There are times we don’t get to pick the time or place. But know this: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). You plus God equals victory.
