"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE WHEN FACING GIANTS IN YOUR LIFE"
1st Samuel 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
1st Samuel 17:44 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
In that day, it was common for armies to pick one man from each other's armies, and let them fight it out.
The one who prevailed, meant their army prevailed. This was done so as to avoid unneeded bloodshed and the like.
In this situation, the Philistines had made the request for Israel to sent their representative, but the entire nation, including the king were afraid to send a man.
But, along came David, but a lad, who took the Philistine giants threatening request and stepped forward to fight and prevailed. It's believed that Goliath may have been 9 ft tall, and as mentioned, David was just a very young man.
But, he wound up defeating this giant. And, there are reasons for his victory, and we will look at them in this devotional. They are principles that can be part of your life, and can and will lead you to prevail against your Goliaths, our enemies. Let's look at them. Some of these principles are in the previous chapters. I'll reference them for your own study.
1. David had been chosen by God, and so have you, if you have believed in Jesus Christ.
1st Samuel 16:11
David was the youngest son of Jesse. His family did not even think much of him, but Samuel asked for him, and he was brought to Samuel. No one may have thought you were anything either. But God did. God loves you, and He sent Jesus to die for your sins, He convicted you of sin, gave you faith and the gift of repentance, and you believed, and guess what, you are now one of God's chosen people.
2. David had been anointed with the Holy Spirit, and you can be as well. ( be empowered by the Holy Spirit)
This is also in 1st Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
This incident was the start of David later becoming the king of Israel. But, what's important here, is that this young boy chosen by God was also anointed with oil. This is a symbol of God's Holy Spirit coming into your life at salvation, giving you new life, and as you yield to the Spirit day by day, and let Him fill you, you also will then have access to God's diving power and guidance in your life. So, David was chosen by God, and then given God's power if you will.
3. David was not discouraged by the discouragement of others. His family, the soldiers, and even Goliath. None of them thought David was able to fight this battle, but David. You and I also may face Goliaths, or Giants in our lives, and discouraged people are all around us. No one believes that you can do what you believe God wants you to do. In fact, you may even be discouraged. But, David was not. He had courage and faith in God. That's one of the reasons he was able to prevail. See 1st Sam 16:28-30
4. David took courage and went right after the giant. ( and so can you )
1st Samuel 17:32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
” Notice what David said here. " Let no man's heart fail because of him" Or as the NLT reads. "Don’t worry about a thing,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight this Philistine!”
David was not overcome by worry, and he simply decided he would go and fight the giant. You can be the same way. God has told us plainly in His Word not to worry, and He has told us also to simply have faith in Him. Not worrying, and having faith add up to, or equal, or produce courage. That's what David had, and so can you.
Ps 31:24 So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the LORD!
5. David came to the battle in the name of the LORD of hosts. ( Or in the power of God, not his own power )
1st Samuel 17:44 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This verse really sums it up. The Giant came in his own strength, full of pride and arrogance. David came in humility, not trusting in himself but in God and His strength and power.
This is truly the way that God has called us to fight giants. Trust the Lord. He is able. Don't depend on yourself.
Put your faith in God.
Some questions:
1. Are you facing a giant or giants ( problems, trials, challenges ) in your life right now?
2. Can you see how David acted, will you choose to do what he did and trust the Lord?
3. Are there people who seek to discourage you, or have no faith in you?
4. Will you look away from discouragement, and look to the Lord as David did?
5. Do you believe God can help you?
6. Will you ask Him to right now, and will you come under His leadership and ask for His power today?
A prayer:
Father, the greatest giant in the world was sin and the devil. Both have been defeated by Jesus at the cross. Jesus is our Lord, and He is our deliverer. You do not call us to fight battles in our own strength, but in Yours.
Lord today, would You renew our courage, and our faith, and empower us to be like David, and face the day and the giants in Your name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
