As I was sitting one day doing my devotions, I felt like God said read the story of David and Goliath. I chuckled to myself, anyone who grew up in church, probably knows that story. I heard it over and over as a kid – but perhaps the prompting to read it now, was because there were things yet to be revealed to my heart that I had not previously seen.
David was a man who didn’t see the current circumstances for what they were. He has an amazing ability to let his faith rise above and see beyond the natural current circumstances.
So Many times we can get stuck in the ‘now’ and miss what God is saying about our future. I have been studying the life of David over the past several months now and God has been showing me some key points about his life I would like to share with you. If you haven’t read the story of David and Goliath, I would encourage you to take time to read 1 Samuel 17.
The Israelite army were camped out and ready for war with the Philistines until they saw the intimidation tactics of the enemy. Goliath, a giant of a man, would mock them and scare them with his physical size and his words. He was really calling them all a bunch of cowards and they were so afraid – that they lost hope, it says in the scriptures. The enemy comes at us with his intimidation and tries to speak lies over our lives. “See, I knew you couldn’t do it…” or “You are not worthy of this position…” or “I knew you would fail if you tried….” on and on the lies can go. He mocks us with his words and the lies become so real that we can lose hope. It leaves us feeling like we can’t pick ourselves up from where we are or able to get to where we want to be.
I have had many season of my life where I allowed the enemies scare tactics to keep me from moving forward into some things God had called me to. Can you relate?
David had real opportunity to come face to face with a giant in His life. As I re-read the story, here’s what God revealed about David facing his giant and how it applies to my own life.
Goliath held the Israelites in bondage for 40 days. They may have prayed for God to remove the giant but they sat there unwilling to take action against their enemy. Fear paralyzed them from moving forward. It wasn’t until David decided to take a risk and take action that the people were set free. Your willingness to take action can even set others free from their bondage.
David was in preparation for this moment long before he ever faced the giant. He was a shepherd boy who learned to fight off wild animals to protect his sheep. He had faced intimidation before, he had faced fear before – he knew what it looked like and was not afraid to take action.
What I found interesting was that Goliath comes out in verses 9-10 and tries to call the shots. He calls out to the Israelites and tries to act like he’s the man in charge. I thought of a child who teases another and I can hear the “nana-nana boo-boo” – this was Goliaths attempt to intimidate David, but he saw right through it. God knew this was the plan all long and He was not scared by the enemies scare tactics. Saul and the Israelites had only ever looked at the situation from earth’s perspective and were very afraid. The enemy is a liar, a bully and he exaggerates so there is no point in listening to what he has to say. They allowed that fear to steal their hope in the midst of the situation.
David on the other hand saw things from Heaven’s perspective – he knew what God said to Him and about this situation. He could see hope in the distance and knew that with God’s help there was victory and freedom in the near future.
In Romans 8:37 God reminds us we have victory before the battle even starts. “But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. Yes I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not death, life, angels or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing, now nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us – nothing in the whole created world – will ever be able to separate us from the love of God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He is fighting your battle for you and if you learn to rest in His promises and take a risk to face the intimidation the enemy tries to fling at you – YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!
You have to stop walking around living in defeat. David chose to see through the eyes of victory not of defeat. He knew with confidence that God had already won the battle and had defeated the enemy. David decided to call Goliath’s bluff in front of the Israelites. Who does this guy think he is? Does he not understand he is threatening the army of the living God? He was not the least bit moved by Goliath’s threats and was willing to stand for truth. In verse 26, David decides to play down the intimidation. He points out Goliath is a foreigner here and that this territory does NOT belong to Him.
How many times have you allowed the enemy to camp in your heart and mind? You need to remind him that this territory does not belong to him, he is an uninvited foreigner. You need to remind him that he has no right or no authority to speak fear or lies over your life, just like David reminded Goliath – that he had no right when facing the army of God.
Sometimes those around us may not understand our willingness to take a stand for truth and courage. David’s brothers were annoyed with him and his acknowledgement of truth. They began to feel threatened by His courage. Some people are willing to continue to live in a place of constantly being intimidated by their enemy. They have become comfortable with a foreigner in their land and don’t want to or know how to serve the eviction notice. David’s brothers even questioned his motives and integrity but regardless of the accusations, David continued to stand for truth. David had such confidence that God is faithful, that he would not allow the insecurities of others to shake him. So many times a few thoughts from others and their lack of belief can derail us from where we are headed. We have to keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father and know what He says about the situation. When we are willing to take a stand and fight the enemy, faith arises in our heart and fear has no place.
Even Saul could not see David for who he really was. He questioned David’s ability to overcome Goliath. Saul tried to tell David he was not qualified for the job – but David refuses to listen to the negativity of others around him. Many times the world tries to disqualify what God has so clearly spoken over our lives. When God speaks a word over us, He also gives us the authority to do it! Are you surrounding yourself with people who speak fear or faith over your life?
God is equipping you for what’s ahead even when you don’t realize it.
David recognizes and tells Saul that God has been prepping him all along for this very moment. David rises up – calls the enemy’s false accusations to the carpet and declares he is going to TAKE HIM OUT once and for all! I believe Psalms 18:32-46 is an amazing daily declaration of God’s promise to help us be victorious. God is the one who gives me strength.
“He clears the path I need to take. 33 He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling. 34 He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow. 35 Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me.You support me with your right hand. It is your help that has made me great. 36 You cleared a path for my feet so that I could walk without stumbling. 37 I chased my enemies and caught them. I did not stop until they were destroyed. 38 I struck them down, and they could not get up again. They fell under my feet. 39 God, you made me strong in battle. You made my enemies fall before me. 40 You made my enemies turn and run away. I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried out for help,but there was no one to save them.They cried out to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 42 I beat them to pieces like dust blown by the wind. I smashed them like mud in the streets. 43 You saved me from those who fought against me. You made me the ruler over nations. People I never knew now serve me. 44 As soon as they heard about me, they were ready to obey. Those foreigners fall helpless before me! 45 They lose all their courage and come out of their hiding places shaking with fear. 46 The Lord lives! I praise my Rock, the God who saves me. How great he is!”
As David comes to defeat Goliath, he tries one more time to intimidate Him. David faces his greatest opposition – just before His greatest breakthrough but he didn’t quit, he didn’t back down. He declared the victory as he faced his giant with the confidence knowing that God would not let him down. He acknowledges that this victory is for the world to know that GOD is faithful and He will win every time! With just a small stone David defeated Goliath and the battle was finally over.
Often our greatest challenge is not the battle itself but the process we go through to understand our victory. Some of you are in the middle of your battle and don’t know how to shift your perspective. Stop what you are doing and start looking and listening to what God has said. Declare God’s Word over your life and speak it out so that your heart will know what truth is and then you serve your enemy notice. Remember the battle belongs to the Lord – He is asking you to step out in faith knowing full well that He has gone before and made a way! DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!
SCRIPTURE STUDY ON FACING GIANTS
- Psalm 1:32-46
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
- Hebrews 10:35
- Galatians 5:1
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Romans 15:13
- Romans 16:20
