Day 41 “Facing The Giant”

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.”
-1 Samuel 17:40

When David stood before Goliath, he didn’t come with years of battle experience, or with the armor Saul had offered to him, instead he did was came naturally.  David selected five smooth stones from the riverbed and he brought his sling – these were tools he used frequently while shepherding.  

It is interesting that God usually works with things that are already in existence or innate within us.  David used a sling to slay a giant and it was already a learned discipline.  God does that same with us as well.  The challenges that we face in life might seem daunting at times.  Perhaps it is rather telling if the only thing we experience is peace – something might be wrong, or perhaps we aren’t challenging ourselves anymore.  When this happens, we should be asking ourselves questions like – “What am I afraid of?” or “Why am I not pushing myself as I once did?”   Sometimes we’re tired from the fight and so we avoid the next challenge that comes our way.

King Saul and the people of Israel were afraid of the challenges of the giant.  They didn’t respond to his calls to fight – how could they?  He was HUGE and his weapons looked fearsome.  They feared they wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a fight.  David showed up to drop off home baked goods and get a report for his father, only to discover God’s people quaking in their boots…so David stepped up.

Sometimes we don’t get a choice with which giants  we have to face.  We have to press onward and actually face them, because if we don’t they won’t just go away and we will be powerless and frozen in our fears.  Facing the giants also means reliance on a strength that isn’t our own.  God will provide you the strength that you need, but it also requires us to admit that we need help and that we cannot do it on our own.  When we let go of this nothing of going it alone, we are freed from the shackles of self-doubt and self-reliance.

So how about it?
What sort of giants are you facing right now?
Have you lived in fear for far too long?
Perhaps it’s time to stop hiding in fear and doubt and instead live in victory and strength!
God will be there each step of the way, but will you trust Him?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I place before you these fears that I have in my life right now.  There are giants that I am facing and I don’t know how to combat them alone.  Help me dear Lord.  Protect me in these battles.  Lead me to victory.  Use me Lord for your glory, not mine.  In your name I pray all of these things.  -Amen.