Facing Your Goliath, Part 1
“As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.”
1 Samuel 17:48 (NLT)
The greatest underdog story of all time is the story of David and Goliath. It’s challenged children and adults alike to face their giants and claim victory over life’s biggest challenges. David’s approach to facing his giant was unconventional to say the least. It was so extreme that it seemed ridiculous to those around him. Consider for a moment what David did that others were not doing. First, he turned down a sword for a slingshot! Seriously? Then, while others were running from the giant, David ran toward him! Reading from the story recorded in 1 Samuel 17:48 (NLT), the Bible tells us, “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.”
Every morning and evening for 40 days, this giant had come out to the battleground to taunt the army of Israel. And, each time he did, the Bible says, “As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright.” 1 Samuel 17:24 (NLT)
Not David! He ran toward the giant! Who does that? What kind of a Goliath are you facing? When you come up against a giant, you must face the issue. Attack the giant. If not, it just gets bigger in your mind. It may be a giant of fear, addiction, loneliness, doubt, or insecurity. Whatever the giant is your facing, it’s time to quit running and attack the giant.
How did David do it? David had a God-perspective on the problem! While everyone else was saying, “Look how big that giant is compared to us!” David was saying, “Look how small he is compared to God!” The soldiers of Israel were saying, “Goliath is too big to hit!” David was saying, “He’s too big to miss!” David knew that God was greater than any giant and this giant had to be put down for good!
David had a killer instinct! He got sick and tired of Goliath taunting the people of Israel every day. Look at David’s killer instinct in 1 Samuel 17:51 (NLT), “Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.”
David wasn’t content with just knocking the giant down. He didn't even stop to celebrate. He put an end to the giant so he would never have to face him again! The same is true in our lives. It's time to slay the giant you're facing. You may face other giants in your life, but you won’t have to face the same one ever again! In fact, many scholars say that is why David selected five smooth stones when he attacked Goliath. He knew that Goliath had some brothers and, once he put Goliath down, he would have to face them next. David’s unconventional strategy teaches us to expect more giants in the future. The good news is that each victory will embolden your faith for the next challenge.
Life is full of challenges. This isn’t heaven. The normal state of affairs for a Spirit-filled Christ follower is spiritual warfare! We are to fight the good fight of faith and, when we do, God gains the glory! Even when David became the next King of Israel, he never signed his name, King David, GGK (Great Giant Killer!) No, he knew that it was the God of Israel that gave him the victory over Goliath! He even told Goliath, “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47 (NIV)
Your battle is the Lord’s! Give it over to Him and face your Goliath in faith that God is with you! The victory you gain will take you to a whole new level and put God’s glory on display for a watching world to see! Tomorrow, we’ll look at three steps to facing your Goliath!