Slaying the Giants of Life
What keeps you up at night?
Proverbs 3:24– says, “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly”. Christians can rest without fear of harm because they know Jesus has walked the road before them. Read what David penned in Psalm 23:4 – “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Believers are never told to go around the valley. We can boldly face the darkest of times because we are confident in the promise that God is near us, therefore we can walk directly through adversity.
Are YOU facing a difficult situation? Are you fearful? Been there…done that. We all face the storms of life.
I was reading a portion of Scripture today when the Holy Spirit directed me to a passage where Paul encourages Pastor Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are YOUNG, but set an example for the believers” (1 Tim. 4:12a NIV). Paul knew that his protege would be confronted by people and situations–perhaps giants–that would challenge his calling and authority to shepherd the flock in Ephesus.
David, like Timothy, was also a young man who could have caved in to pressure, but unlike everyone around him who gave in to the fear of a giant Philistine warrior, He relied solely on God’s plan, protection, and provision to carry the day. As young David stood facing his towering enemy, he proclaimed, “The Lord who DELIVERED me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear WILL DELIVER me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Sam. 1:37,45,47 ESV). What David knew that others did not — He know if God did it before, He is faithful to do it again! 2 Cor. 1:4 & 10 tells us that the God of all comfort who has delivered will continue to deliver and will yet deliver.
Continuing in 1 Samuel verse 45: “Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword and 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.” Some folks rely on their own understanding when facing the giants of life. But Prov. 3:5-6 tells us to trust no one. Not even ourselves. Especially not ourselves! Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things! We must place our hope and trust in God alone.
David continues speaking by saying, “…the Lord saves not with sword and spear, For the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam. 17:47). We could all learn a lesson from this young man, David. You may feel powerless before the giant that is in front of you. Perhaps the situation has lured you into thinking there is no way out. You might be asking yourself, How can I defeat this giant who has come to kill me?
I don’t know what giant you are facing. Perhaps it is financial, trusting for God’s provision in finding employment, health, family issues, bondage, etc. I encourage you…don’t be afraid. Are you tired of fighting the giants in your life? Have courage and be honest as to who it is that is really doing the fighting. Is it you struggling on your own? If so, take your hands off the situation and let God fight your battles for you. Put on all of God’s armor (Eph. 6:10-18) and when you have done all you can in prayer…just simply STAND and watch God do His thing! “And having done all…stand firm” (Eph. 6:13)!