Greater Than the Giant

1 Samuel 17 contains the story of David and Goliath, a true story of how God used what seemed small and impossible to defeat what seemed so big and undefeatable. It’s an inspiring story that contains principles we can all apply to our lives during hardship. God simply wants us to look at our “giants” the way He sees them—so much smaller than the greatness inside of us!

As a quick recap, the nation of Philistine came against Israel in battle. Their “weapon” at the beginning of the chapter is Goliath, a giant nearly ten feet tall. He would rant and rave, demanding that the armies of Israel send out someone to fight him. No one was brave enough—until a shepherd boy named David boldly stepped up to the challenge. He won, not because of his physical stature and weaponry, but because of his spiritual dependence on the One working for him. He knew God’s power was greater and acted confidently on it!

Let’s look at what acts of faith gained David the victory, and how we can do the same:

 

He believed the cause was greater than the enemy’s threats.

And David said… “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29, NKJV)

 Giants can come into our lives in many forms. They may be sickness, financial lack, marriage problems, or depression, just to name a few. What they have in common is that they all come from the devil (John 10:9, 10). The devil speaks through with threats saying we are going to lose, that all hope is lost. The sickness may scream with an incurable report and pain. The empty checkbook may holler that there’s not enough money to pay the bills. But we need to believe that the cause—our victory through Christ—is greater than any of those voices. Jesus paid the price for our victory, and it’s worth fighting for!

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:4-6, NKJV).

 

He saw himself as greater than his giant.

“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:36, NKJV).

When we’re faced with a giant, we need to understand that who we are is greater than any enemy. We are God’s children with His power in us and for us. We have been given citizenship in heaven, the ranking of ambassadors on this earth, and have been given authority over evil. Next to these truths, no one and nothing should be able to intimidate us!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5, NKJV).

 

He believed God’s power was greater.

Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37a, NKJV).

 Fighting alone would mean our demise, but God’s power in and for us is greater than any other power against us! This may be true, but until we believe it, we will forever be subject to our enemy. We need to believe it, rejecting fear while letting God’s power work for us!

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4, NKJV).

 

He trusted God’s choices over man’s weaponry.

David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off (1 Samuel 17:39, NKJV).

 We will be tempted to trust in man’s brains, money, and ability. But If we put our trust in them—or even ourselves—we will fail. Man is limited in his understanding and strength.  God, however, is limitless and all-knowing. Trusting in Him means we have an unlimited supply of wisdom and power—enough and more to win our battles.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7, NKJV).

 

He confessed only greatness.

“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 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 17:45-47).

If faith is in our hearts, it will be evident by what’s coming out of our mouths. We should refuse to let doubt, unbelief, or defeat come from our lips. Our words hold power to shape what’s around us, so we should guard our tongue like we guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:34, Proverbs 18:21).  When the devil tries to put pressure on us with threats of trouble, we should remind him of the truth of God’s Word that’s so much greater than his!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21, NKJV).

 

Had David done anything less, he would have fallen to Goliath’s power. However, his belief and confidence in God’s greatness inspired Him to act in faith. He believed he was greater through God and was empowered by God. He chose to use God’s weaponry instead of his own and used his mouth to prophecy the victory. As children of God, armed with the armor of God, we should do no less. It is our key to overcoming every giant!