“I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.” (1 Samuel 17:35 NKJV)

What giant are you facing today? Perhaps it’s a giant stack of bills. It could be a health crisis, a family crisis, or a job crisis. What ever it is, my friend, it’s a giant when it is your crisis.

But I have good news! You’re going to make it, because you’ve made it before. We can learn something new from the familiar story about David slaying Goliath.

When David fought Goliath, he wasn’t a warrior. He was a teenage shepherd boy running errands for his father. David’s older brothers were enlisted in Israel’s army, and David was bringing them food when he heard the thundering threats bellowing from this monstrosity of a man.

Why didn’t David drop off the supplies and return to his father’s flock in Bethlehem? What drew David to this battle that no man wanted to fight? David couldn’t allow the giant to continue defying the name of the Lord.

David watched Goliath who towered anywhere from nine to ten feet tall, and all he could see was an uncircumcised Philistine, an enemy of God.

I don’t know about you, sweet friend, but if we were there, I feel sure we’d run as fast and as far as we could. That’s our first response to the giants in our lives. Not David.

How could David be fearless in the face of what seemed like certain death to everyone else? As a shepherd, David was keenly aware of the roles of sheep and shepherd. He knew God as his shepherd, sheltering him in the same manner that David protected the sheep.

David used his time wisely while watching his flocks. He communed with the Lord, and their bond was strengthened by deep roots.

David had depended on God for his safety while he protected the sheep from predators. In today’s verse, we learn that David had rescued sheep from lions and bears.  When the vicious animal attacked him, he killed it.

David trusted God to do nothing less than deliver him from the giant. David didn’t trust in himself for anything. His confidence was totally in God, who had been faithful. God had never let him down.

Friend, God is faithful to us too. God will conquer our giants also, because He’s conquered them before. God prepared David for this moment. Every lion and bear David fought was preparing him.

Today’s faith is founded on yesterday’s victories.

God has been preparing us for today’s battle. Reflect on the giants God has already slaughtered in your life. Friend, He is the same God who will defeat the giant in your life today.

Lord, You have given me victory before. Today’s giant frightens me, but You will be victorious again. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read 1 Samuel 17.

HIKING THE TRAIL

David teaches us many lessons here, but the one we need to focus on today is the art of rehearsing God’s past victories in our lives. It will add fuel to our faith, setting it on fire.

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Originally posted on April 12, 2021 @ 3:00 am