DEFEATING GIANTS IN OUR LIVES
Scripture 1 Samuel 17
I want to do a second message on spiritual warfare and how we can defeat Satan. In the story of David and Goliath we have certain principles that we can apply in our daily war against Satanic powers. All of us are surrounded by the enemy and there maybe "giants" in your life that need to be defeated. What are those giants that have brought your spiritual life to a stand still? Things with which Satan condemns and intimidate you with.
Most all of us who have gone to Sunday School or Church remember the story of David slaying the Philistine giant, Goliath. It makes good story telling for children, but God has recorded it for our learning, and instruction in spiritual warfare.
The history of this portion of scripture is that David’s brothers had gone to war with King Saul against the Philistines. After a time when Jesse, their father, had not heard from them, sent David with food to find out how they were doing. David arrived about the time that Goliath walked out on the hill side and taunted the Nation of Israel by calling for a champion from them who would face him in battle. This he did every morning, and all Israel, even the King, feared and trembled. There was no courage in their hearts and no faith in God. The taunts and jeers of Goliath stirred the heart of David. Goliath was about 10 feet tall and his sword was like a weaver’s beam and his spear-head weighed six hundred shekel of iron. He was covered with bronze armor over his chest and his legs. He thought that he was totally protected. Though he wore a helmet there was one exposed place in his forehead. If Israel’s champion could defeat Goliath then the Philistines army would serve Israel, but if Goliath defeated their champion then they were to serve the Philistines. When Saul and the people heard these words "they were dismayed and greatly afraid."
David was concerned for the honor and name of God. He said, "who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the army of the Living God?" David told King Saul, "let no man’s heart fail because of him, thy servant (himself) will go and fight with this Philistine." Saul told him that he was but a lad, (to young to fight in the army) and Goliath was a man of war from his youth. David rehearsed with Saul how God had delivered a lion and a bear into his hand that had tried to steal and kill his sheep, and he killed them both.
Saul then put his armor on David. He must have been swallowed up in Saul’s armor, who stood head and shoulders above everyone. David said, "I cannot go with these, I have not proven them." He took staff in his hand and picked up five smooth stones from the brook for his sling and he approached the giant. Goliath was insulted that a boy would come against him and not even a sword. He mocked David and ridiculed him. He said to David, "am I a dog that you come to me with staves and he cursed David by his gods. " He told David that he would feed his flesh to the birds of the air. David shouted to him as he ran to meet him,. "this day will the Lord deliver you into my hand; and I will smite you and take your head from you and give this day the carcasses of the Philistines to the fowls of the air." That day a great battle was fought and a great victory won by God’s champion. Keep in mind that God could have smitten the giant, but He works through human instruments. While we cannot win our battles without God, neither will He smite the giants in our lives without us. David said, "all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord’s and He will deliver you (Goliath) into our hands."
While we are faced with different kinds of giants and hindrance there is promised to us victory over them all. The victory which Jesus won over Satan at the cross and empty tomb is also our victory. Know of a surety that your giant is not bigger than your God. David saw this 10 foot man, but he saw his God standing above him. It is a trick of Satan to magnify our giants, while belittling our God. Don't focus on your giant, or problem or how big they are, but focus on God and His ability to conquer through you. Your first step to victory is to get your eyes off of the giant or problem and look to God. David talked about the power of God and how God had delivered a bear and lion into his hands, and not the size of Goliath. We are often defeated before the battle begins because we talk more about our problems, difficulties, and giants than about what God has already done. We are "snared by the words of our mouth." Satan knows that as long as he keeps us in fear and doubt that the victory belongs to him.
Just as Goliath challenged Israel, so will Satan challenge your faith and try to intimidate you by your weaknesses. His purpose is to destroy you and to keep you in bondage. Saul told David, that he was not able to go to war against Goliath. Nor are you able in yourself to go against powers of hell, but through the "name of Jesus we are conquerors." Our second step to victory is to realize that we cannot win by our own strength, but His strength..
Our third step to victory is one of faith. We must believe that God is able and that He will deliver us from our enemies. It is a battle of faith for David. He didn’t say. "I hope or maybe God will deliver this giant into my hands," but with firm faith and conviction he said; "this day will the Lord deliver you into my hands." David drew strength and faith for his immediate need and the crisis of the hour from past experiences of the faithfulness of God. Remember God has never failed us and He will not fail us in our battle today.
Saul put his armor on David, but it did not work. God teaches us here that you cannot win your battles with another person’s faith, or armor. You cannot walk in another person’s anointing. David won his victory by walking in the anointing that God had given him and faith in the name of God. We are told that "the anointing breaks the yoke." Live and walk in what God has given you. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind." 1 Timothy 1:7
Your giant maybe a habit you can’t break, a circumstance you can’t change, or an experience of the past that hinders and impede your spiritual progress with God. You can slay your giant, or your giant will slay you. Like David, pick up your weapons and run toward your giant in the name of the Lord. He will give you the victory. David spoke with his mouth what he believed in his heart, nor did he measure his strength against the strength of Goliath. It is not the size of the giant in your life, but the size of your God in your heart that determines the victory.
God bless you.
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