Lessons from David: Confront your giant in the Lord

Perhaps you cannot relate to fighting a giant as David did. But we all have faced and may be facing giants of some sort in our lives. The giants that we face may be sickness or disease, lack, anxiety, depression, fear, worry, or confusion. Perhaps a child is addicted to drugs, a spouse is suffering from alcoholism; marital problems or other strained relationships; or employment struggles. Maybe you have doubt and unbelief. Giants may look different, but giants are anything that rises to intimidate and present a fierceness that challenges us, taking our attention away from Jesus. They are meant to derail our lives and cause fear, making us fret like the Israelites did every time Goliath presented himself. But David viewed the giant with a different understanding. Because his view was different, his actions were different, and the result was different.

First David remembered. He recalled his history of fighting foes such as lions and bears. Remembering, David reveals that it was the Lord who gave him the victory. Even as a young shepherd, God had equipped him beyond human ability to overcome his enemy. By remembering his victories David encouraged himself in the Lord. He saw the threat of the giant like the Israelites did, but David also saw a faithful God who was greater than the giant, a God who had made him a conqueror. He viewed Goliath in comparison to his amazing and powerful God who was greater! According to David’s remembrance, what he was focused on, he spoke; “But I come to you (Goliath) in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). David approached the giant in the power of God.

I will pause here from the story to stress an important point. David did not have the privilege of possessing the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God came upon him but did not live in him. As born-again children of God, we have the privilege of being united with the Holy Spirit. God’s constant presence lives in us!

As David viewed Goliath in comparison to his God, he saw the outcome of standing up against the giant. David confirmed, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you” (1 Samuel 17:46). He was painting a picture of victory with his words. He believed before he saw the outcome; out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth spoke (Luke 6:45). Yes, there was a threat against David and all of Israel. But David knew that God was his Source, and He would assist him to overcome the threat. God has promised us the same thing; “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He confirms in 1 John 5:4,5 because you are born of God you are now an overcomer! David believed he too was an overcomer because of God.

While David faced his adversary, the enemy was not silent. He intimated David through his presentation (1 Samuel 17:10,11). He was persistent with his taunts (1 Samuel 17:16). He displayed a fierceness to try to distract, and cause David to view him with natural eyes, to lean to his own understanding (1 Samuel 17:25). With a demeanor that suggested greatness, Goliath tried to make David doubt how in saw himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 17:8). These tactics are always the ploy of the giants that come against our lives. Trials and tribulations rise to present themselves as greater than God Almighty when truth confirms, that God is the Greater One that lives in us (1 John 4:4)! The giant in your life may be a fact, but the truth is that God is greater than the giant! As you are drawn to look at the problems that are troublesome in your life, look at God instead! You may think your problems are great, but God is Greater!

David was able to confront Goliath because he saw himself as a mighty warrior empowered by God. How do you see yourself? As a child of God, you must judge your ability based on who God says you are, and who He created you to be. You are not merely human! Recognize that you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37); you possess the divine fullness of God (2 Peter 1:4); you possess His immeasurable and unlimited power, the same power that He used to raise Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19). See yourself as God’s handiwork, recreated in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:10). You should evaluate yourself far superior to any trial or tribulation. (1 Samuel 17:32)

David understood that natural weapons against the enemy would not work. He initially tried to face Goliath by wearing heavy armor and carrying a sword. Logically this seems to be a good choice. But David experienced that he was not able to move freely in this confinement. The fact was that David was no match for the giant. Would wearing additional heavy armor in which he couldn’t move give him any advantage? Compared to Goliath’s strength and size David was small and not equipped. We understand his thinking about the situation however, by his words; “Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). There was nothing natural about David’s victory. He took five smooth stones and his sling. Could a stone hitting Goliath in the forehead actually kill him? This seemed to be a supernatural act of God!

Just as it was with David, the New Testament confirms that we are not fighting flesh and blood, but principalities and powers that are raged against us (Ephesians 6:12). In other words, like David, we are facing giants that in our human strength we are not equipped to defeat. We cannot outfit ourselves with natural weapons and expect to experience victorious results. Striving, leaning to our own understanding, stressing, and worrying will not provide the victory that we are hoping for. There is an armor, however, that we are instructed to wear that guarantees our success. The armor of God. We have the opportunity to be “strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10) by applying His armor; “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (the giant) (Ephesians 6:11). This was David’s experience. He took up “the whole armor of God” and he was “able to withstand in the evil day and having done all” he stood (Ephesians 6:13). This armor included knowing who God created him to be (the breastplate of righteousness); firmly planted on knowledge of God (facing the enemy in firm-footed stability that is produced by the Good news of the Gospel); he raised a shield of confidence against the antagonistic attacks of Goliath believing His God was great (take the shield of faith and quench the fiery darts of the enemy); he covered his mind with thoughts of prior victories in the Lord (know the salvation that the Lord has provided for you which includes everything for your well-being); David jabbed the giant with firm words of belief and confidence in the Lord (use the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17).

What do you know according to the Word of God and your history with Him? David knew his victory was assured in the Lord. This knowledge was stored in his heart. He remembered and took a stand on it. He took a stand with his words and his expectation of a victorious outcome became reality. David knew God’s strength. Witness David’s perspective in dealing with a giant and allow the Holy Spirit to provide revelation that will lead you to experience your victory over a giant!