Additional Steps to Use In Defeating the Giants

In review of 1 Samuel 17:45-46 it says, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

Bottom Line:
David tells the Philistines, you may come against me with weapons, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and then the whole world will know God.

What this means to me:
I may have those who oppose me come against me with all kinds of weapons, but I can hold onto God’s protection. Then when their plans are thwarted, they will come to know the true God.

Today I will continue to look at ways to defeat the giants that keep me from being the person God wants me to be. For this, I can continue to look at the example of David and what he did to defeat the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt in his life.

The first is to remember how God has helped me in the past. David says in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (NLT) When I remember the ways that God has helped me in the past, it gives me confidence for the future.

Next use the tools that God has given me now. David used the tools that God provided that utilized his strengths: “Then Saul gave David his own armor …. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag” (1 Samuel 17:38-40a). Don’t wait for something I don’t have, such as money, education, or connections. Use the tools God has already given me to face my giants with confidence.

Then ignore the dream busters by encouraging myself in the Lord. Later in life, when others were speaking against him, David had to encourage himself in the Lord: “David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 TLB). When I can encourage myself in the Lord, it’s not just a positive mental attitude. There is a bedrock of trust in God’s grace, provision, security, and power I can count on.

Lastly, expect God to help me for his glory. David stormed the battlefield, shouting, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV).

Rick Warren had mentioned making this same decision when he was younger. He says, “On the mountains of Northern California one night, I got down on my knees and said, ‘God, I’m not the smartest guy, the best educated, or the most talented. But I’m going to trust you. And I will do anything, anytime, anywhere in faith, even when it doesn't make sense to me.’ And what an adventure my life has been!” Rick speaks to crowds every week that are five times bigger than the town He grew up in. He’s was a country boy with a slingshot.

The good news is that God will use me if  I will trust in and expect to be used by him. This will happen not because of who I am, but rather for his glory.

In summary, David learned to trust God. God will do what He promises to do. He will help me do what He has asked me to do as well. I can always look back to how God has helped me in the past, to use what he has already given me, to encourage myself in Him and expect God to use me to show his glory.