How to Face and Overcome the Giants in Your Life
Theme Scripture: 1 Samuel 32-40

Intro:

I am reminded of Israel ’s trouble with giants in Numbers 13-14. After two years in the wilderness, Israel had arrived at the banks of the Jordan River . God had promised them the land on the other side of Jordan , but they stopped to send in spies to examine the land. When those spies returned, they reported that the land was a good land, but that it was a land inhabited by many great giants, Num 13:27-28.

Caleb and Joshua, who had seen the same giants, tried their best to get the people to trust in the Lord, enter Canaan and claim the land, but the people listen to the majority report and refused to battle their giants. As a result, they were all condemned to 38 more years of wilderness wandering. They were to wander until that faithless generation had died out.

38 years later, they arrive back at the Jordan River . Moses speaks to them to prepare them to enter Canaan . As he does, he lets them know that they are about to face some giants on the other side of Jordan, Deut. 9:1-2. What’s the point? Israel fled from those giants 38 years before, when their children came back 38 years later, the giants were still there and they had to be faced.

I am speaking to a group of people this evening who are facing some giants. How do I know? We all face giants. I even have a few of my own! The bottom line is this: you may not want to face your giants. You may want to run from them in fear. You may want to avoid them and hope that they will just go away. You need to know that your giants will not just go away. They must be faced and they can be defeated.

This passage presents David as a young man. He is a young man filled with faith in the Lord. David is a young man who was not afraid to go to battle with the giants of life and claim victory in the name of the Lord. David was a giant killer and you need to know that you can be too!

That giant you are facing this evening, regardless of its nature, can be destroyed and it can be defeated.

Exhibit the Right Motive

David’s father Jesse had sent David to bring some supplies to three of David’s brothers who were fighting in Saul’s army, vs. 12-13, 17-18. When David arrives at the battlefield, he finds Saul and the armies of Israel cowering in fear because of the taunts and threats of a giant named Goliath, vs. 1-11

Of course, the champion chosen by the Philistines was no ordinary soldier! In fact, his stats are quite impressive. He was some 9’ 9” tall! He wore armor that weighted in at 175 pounds. He carried a spear that weighed over 32 pounds. This monster was covered in brass, from head to toe. He was a formidable opponent, and his defeat seemed in question!

For 40 mornings and evenings, this giant had taunted the armies of Israel and had been challenging them to send out a man to do battle with him. For 40 mornings and evenings the Israelites had heard the challenges and had retreated to their tents in fear.

However, this day would be different! Goliath and his challenges were seen and heard by a young man named David.

David’s faith and confidence in the Lord rises to the challenges and he offers to go out and fight this giant.)

. When David spoke of killing the giant, his motives were questioned. Some people may have thought that David was motivated by the financial rewards offered to the man who killed Goliath, vs. 25-27, 30. His brother Eliab, speaking out of jealousy, tried to accuse David of promoting himself, vs. 28. Eliab, and David’s other brothers, knew that David had been anointed by Samuel. They may have thought that he was trying to advance his name in Israel .

B. What were David’s motives? Perhaps David saw the offer of Saul, vs. 25, as a stepping stone to the throne of Israel . Little did he know that many miles and many trials lay between him and his being king in Israel .

As I read this text, I am convinced that David’s heart was motivated by two things only. I do not think it was the money, the fame or the power. I think he was motivated by:

1. The glory of God – vs. 26, 29, 36 – Goliath was mocking the God of Israel and David could not stand the thoughts of that happening!

2. By his role as the newly anointed king – 1 Sam. 16:1-12 – Just as David had protected his sheep from the attacks of the lion and bear, vs. 34-36, he would protect his Israel from the attack of Goliath.

. When you see the giants you are facing in your own life, ask yourself this question: Why do I want this giant defeated? What is my motive for wanting this giant dead? An easier life? Bragging rights? Power in the eyes of others? So that I will feel better? What? I would submit to you that there are only two proper motives for wanting to see your giants defeated:

1. A Desire For God’s glory – 1 Cor. 10:31 – This should be the ultimate motivator for all of life! Everything we do should be passed through the filter of God’s glory!

2. A Desire For God’s plan to be fulfilled in your life – Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:17 – It is part of God’s plan for you to face your giant, or that giant would not be there. It may be part of God’s plan for you to defeat your giant. It may also be God’s plan for you that you live with your giant. Are you willing to accept His plan, regardless of what it is?

YOU HAVE TO EMBRACE THE RIGHT METHODS

A. When David’s plan to kill the giant reached the ears of King Saul, he joined the chorus of naysayers, telling David that he could not do the job, vs. 33. ( Ill. What a group of cheerleaders!) Then, hearing that David was determined in this matter, Saul tried to suit David up in his own armor, vs. 38. David, however, rejected Saul’s armor because it had not been proven in his life.

David was determined that he would go into battle with the things that had always worked o him in the past. David knew that the God Who had always come through in the past, was the God Who would still come through in the present, vs. 34-36.

B. David did not know a thing about shields, spears and swords. He wasn’t schooled in armies, armor and archery. Yet, David knew God! He knew that God had always given him the victory in the past, and he knew that God does not change, Heb. 13:8.

David knew that God was greater than any giant. He also knew that God had a plan for his life and that plan did not include him dying at the hand of Goliath. So, when David went out to fight, he only took those things that had worked for him in the past: he took his staff, his sling, five smooth stones, and Sovereign God, vs. 40.

III. YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THE RIGHT MIRACLES

A. David walked down into that valley directly into an impossible situation. He was doubted by some, vs. 28, 33. He was ridiculed by the giant, vs. 42-44. Yet, his faith allowed David to accomplish everything that fear denied Saul and the others! (Note: Notice the contrast between the speeches of Goliath and David, vs. 43-47. David declared the victory and the glory of God before the battle was even fought! That is the essence of faith! It will allow you to give your victory speech before you even fight the battle!)

B. Ill. The context. David engaged the giant in battle and won the victory over him! Faith took up the challenge that day. Faith stayed with God and with what had always worked. Faith walked down into that valley; faith faced that giant; faith hurled that stone; faith saw that giant fall to the ground and faith received that victory! Never underestimate that power of faith in your battles!

. Friend, you may not see your giants fall the instant you exercise faith in God. Don’t let that cause you to lose hope! You see, you cannot always believe what the eyes of flesh see! But, you can always believe what the eyes of faith see. It may look like you are outgunned, outnumbered and in an impossible situation. It looked that way for David. It looked that way for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It looked that way for Daniel. It looked that way for the Disciples in that ship. It looked that was for Jesus on that cross. I would just like to remind you that we serve a God Who specializes in doing the impossible, Luke 1:37! If you will bring that hopeless, impossible situation to Him and then go and face it in faith, you will see Him snatch victory from the jaws of defeat!

SURVIVAL IS A MATTER OF TIMING

Here is what I am trying to tell you: When that giant showed up in your life, it did not get there by accident. That giant is there by the providence of God. It is there because God sent it, allowed it, or however you want to say it. It is there because God, in His precise timing, wanted you to face it when it came to you.

When the giants come, we can get depressed and defeated; or we can realize that they are a tangible symbol of God working out His will in our lives. We can be like Saul and Israel and we can hide from the giant; or we can be like David and we can face the giant. We can be discouraged, or we can do like Job and worship in spite of what the giant is doing in our lives, Job 1:20-21. The choice is your. But, if we can ever understand that giants come according to God’s timing; it will help us survive in giant country.

40 SURVIVAL IS A MATTER OF TRUSTING

1. David has learned about God’s Purposes –1 Sam. 16:13 – David had been anointed as king to sit on a throne. David knew that he would not die this day.

2. David has learned about God’s Protection – v. 34-37 – David knew that everything God had done in the past, he was still able to do.

3. David has learned about God’s Power– v. 38-40 – David knew that victory did not reside in swords, shields, spears, armor and bows, but in the mighty power of God. He would go into this battle with the same God and the same weapons he had used before.

In other words, David’s trust was not in the army, the armor or the armaments; David’s trust was in Almighty God. The same God Who had protected him and given his victory after victory on the hills of Judea, would grant him the victory in the Valley of Elah ! For David, there was only one giant there that day and His name was not Goliath. The only giant David had in his life was the Lord God Almighty, v. 26; 32; 36-37.

B. What a lesson for those of us who also face giants from time to time! If we could ever learn the same lessons that David learned about fighting giants; we could make short work of them all. Here is what you need to know:

1. God did not save you for some giant to destroy – God saved you to take you home to glory some day! That giant cannot undo the eternal work God has already done in your soul, Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:12. That giant is there as part of God’s eternal plan in your life. That giant is there to grow you, Num. 14:9. There’s nothing quite like cutting your teeth on a few giants to help your faith grow stronger. You can trust God’s Purposes!

2. God will not change courses in the middle of the stream – He will always be that which He has ever been. One of the greatest attributes of our Lord is Him immutability. That simply means His unchangeableness! God is a God Who cannot change, Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8! The same God Who did all those marvelous, miraculous things we read about in the Bible is still the same God today! You’ve heard about the Red Sea ; the Manna; Water from a Rock; the Meal Barrel and the Cruse of Oil; the Loaves and the Fishes; the Raising of Lazarus; etc. Well, the same God Who did all those things and countless others is still our God today! Ill. His Name says it all – Ex. 3:14. He is the self-existent; changeless God! You can trust God’s Protection!

( Ill. We seem to have no trouble remembering our past defeats; but we have real trouble remembering that victories the Lord has given. Think about it! We can remember every valley; but can’t seem to remember even one mountain top.)

3. God will never fail those who place their trust in Him – Those who trust men, methods and materials can and will fail. But, those who place their unwavering trust in God and His power will never fail. You see, our God is not a weak, anemic God. No! He is a God of power; a God of glory; a God Who is ever moving in mighty ways to make His power known. Those who trust Him as they face the giants of life can see that power work in their lives by faith. God is powerful, Luke 1:38; Matt. 28:18; Jer. 32:17. And, those who walk with their faith in Him can experience that power, Heb. 11:1; Eph. 3:20; Ill. God is “able” – Dan. 3:17; Dan. 6:20; Heb. 7:25.

C. Where is your trust as you face the giants of life? Is it in man; in the economy; in self? Those will all fail. As we face our giants let us be certain that our faith and our dependence is in the Lord. He and He alone will never fail! Our survival depends on our being able to trust Him.

SURVIVAL IS A MATTER OF TAKING

. There comes a time when talk must stop and action must begin. The time had come for David to take that which he had already been given by the Lord. He walked down into that valley; faced that giant; declared his faith in God; slung that stone; and killed that giant.

Friends, there is a time when the talking needs to stop and the taking needs to begin! As we face our own giants day by day, isn’t it about time that we started taking by faith some of the things we have only talked about up until now? For instance, we talk about God providing for us, Phil. 4:19. But, we still worry over our finances. We talk about God’s grace in every situation in life, 2 Cor. 12:9. But, we still act like we aren’t going to make it. We talk about God being in control of our lives, Rom. 8:28. But, we live like our lives are out of control.

Isn’t it time we stopped talking about all we could have in Jesus and we just started taking it? David defeated Goliath because he was willing to take what God had given him by faith. The same thing will work in your life and mine today! As we face our giants, we have already been promised victory, 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:37; let’s take it. How? By doing what David did.

1. Place your trust in the Lord.

2. Believe that He can do everything that He has ever done.

3. Then, walk into your valley, square off with your giant and keep slinging until he falls. I am convinced that is the reason David took five stones to kill one giant. He knew he might miss on the first shot and he aimed to keep slinging stones until he had the victory.

C. Friend, whether you believe this preacher or not, here is the truth of the matter: You are a giant killer! Not because you possess any power; but because you serve a God Who possesses all power. Not because your aim is good; but, because you serve a God never misses. Not because you deserve anything at all from God; but, because He has promised to give you His victory through His Son, the Lord Jesus. So, get out there and take what’s yours by faith! Your survival depends on it!

As we walk through this encounter, I want to draw out seven strategies to help us go down into the valley and meet our fears head-on.

1. Describe your problem Have you ever noticed that the enemy is always well-armed?

2. Make sure you’re prepared .” He’s preparing you today for battles tomorrow. Be faithful to what he’s called you to do and be filled with God’s Spirit. Everything that David accomplishes is through the Spirit of God. Make sure you are totally sold out

3. Overcome pressure from others You will be criticized by those closest to you when you decide to defeat some giants in your life. Expect it and then overcome it. Some of you are experiencing incredible pressure from your family right now. Instead of helping, you feel like they are hurting you. If you want to face your giants you’re going to face opposition. Don’t allow negative comments to nullify what God wants to do in your life. Related to this, stop blaming others and start believing what God can do. Instead of finding fault with your family, your friends or your foes put your faith in a faithful God. Don’t try to fight your giants with someone else’s solution

4. Change your perspective Haddon Robinson once said: “In any situation, what you ARE determines what you see; what you SEE determines what you DO. , if you see yourself as a victim, that’s how you’ll react; if you see yourself as a victor, that’s how you’ll respond.

5. Proclaim God’s Name he took God off the shelf and introduced the Almighty into the equation. He alone was concerned about God’s honor When we truly understand this name for God we will never view Him the same again. He has unlimited power, unbridled might and untarnished glory. He is impossible to describe and incredible to imagine. In contrast to Goliath, God is the Creator of the world remember that it is God who fights for you only way to face your giants is through faith in God Verbalize your confidence in God. Say His name out loud. It will help the words become real for you. Measure the giants you face against the greatness of God, not yourself. To David, the giant was an opportunity to know God better, not an obstacle to his faith.

6. Be proactive; don’t procrastinate. Friend, if you want to be victorious, you must take the fight to the enemy. In our jargon, we might say, “Game on!” You can’t sit back and just hope it will get better on its own. And with one stone from his sling, he slayed the giant. Friend, it’s time to face your fears! Look your enemy in the eye and flee no more. Take the next step Friends, faith is not talking about the giant or even praying about the giant. Faith is taking the first step

7. Profess faith in God’s Champion If you are a Christian, then Jesus is your champion. That means you are fighting battles that have already been won. Because Jesus triumphed over Satan, so have you! Lift your eyes, giant-slayer. Go down into the valley and employ these seven tactics:

Describe your problem
Make sure you’re prepared
Overcome pressure from others
Change your perspective
Proclaim God’s name
Be proactive
Profess faith in God’s champion

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