Lessons From a Giant Killer

 
Think about those things you’ve accomplished in your life that mean so much to you.  Maybe it’s that job you have. Perhaps a relationship you are particularly proud of.  Maybe a car you worked so hard for, or perhaps a college degree.  Maybe weight loss,or overcoming some financial obstacle.   Whatever it is you’re thinking of right now, my guess is that it didn’t just accidentally happen.

Now think about what you want to accomplish.  That thing that you keep fighting for.  Perhaps that addiction that keeps rearing its ugly head.  That bad habit you just can’t seem to kick.  Maybe it’s that emotional hang up that has plagued you for as long as you can recall.   Whatever it is, with God’s might, you can overcome it with intentionality. 

David had a giant that plagued him and his entire nation.  Thankfully, David was a giant killer.  But giant killers are made long before they face and slay their giants. Without knowing it,  David had been preparing for this giant.

We see in I Samuel 17 that David was given the task by his father to bring food to his brothers on the front line.  We are told (vs 20) that David “rose up early” to perform that task given by his father.  Giant slayers get up early.  In other words, if you want to slay that giant, you’ve got to be disciplined.  Giant killers aren’t lazy.  Giant killers are consistent, and giant killers are diligent.  In order to win true victory even when it’s inconvenient we must rise to the daily tasks at hand.  Disciplined in prayer.  Disciplined in study.  Disciplined at all our Father asks us to do.

Giant slayers are willing to look at their enemy through eyes that differ from everyone around them.  While most Israelites and the Philistines viewed Goliath as a champion (vs 23).  David however, saw Goliath for what he was, “an uncircumcised Philistine who defies the armies of the living God” (vs 25).  When others see insurmountable odds, giant slayers see a problem to be taken out.  Everything that defies what Jesus won for you on Calvary is simply an obstacle waiting to be knocked down.  When seen through eyes of truth and spiritual reality, are enemies are no match for the God who dwells within us and freely gives us all things.

Giant slayers are focused on the reward following the victory.  Before he ever fought Goliath David overheard what would be given the man who conquered Goliath (vs 25).  Then twice after that (vs 26-27, 30) David inquired about what would be received for fighting this battle.    Giant slayers are focused on the victory, not only the battle.  Our God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, so nothing is wrong with having respect for the reward.  Even Jesus made it through Calvary by focusing on the joy that lay before Him (Hebrews 12:1-2).   So often in the midst of our battle we give up because we focus on the wrong things.  Our God has promised us victory.  What joy lies before you when you conquer this giant in front of you?  Freedom and promise lay beyond the giant.   Let it be fuel for your battle!  

 No one would have chosen David to be the giant slayer.  But David knew what no other man in that Israeli army apparently knew.  David knew that there was never a bigger mismatch than he and Goliath.  David was not the one that was overmatched.  Goliath was.   He never stood a chance.  David knew the battle was not between he and Goliath.  The battle was between Goliath and the God that David was in covenant with.

​If you feel like an unlikely candidate for this type of victory, I have good news for you.  You are in excellent company. Giant slayers come in unlikely packages.  But given the chance, your God will fight for you as He did for David .

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