Facing The Giants In Your Life

Introduction:

Joshua J. Marine:

“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”

Have you thought about the fact that Giants Are Real! “Giants” are not some figment of your imagination. “Giants” are not something that you dream up. “Giants” are problems, pressures, pains, and persecutions we will have to face from time to time in our lives.

“Giants” often times cause major difficulties in our life and brings with it the possibility of life threatening situations. More than likely, there is someone in this building that is facing a ‘giant’ right now in their life.

You may be wondering what a “giant” really is. A “giant” is anything that distracts us from our focus on God; anything that detours us from our service for God; and anything that drains us of our driving passion for God.

Giants represent anything which is opposed to God!

Now you may be wondering, what are some of the “Giants” that people face:

(1)- There is the Giant of Resentment

(2)- There is the Giant of Fear

(3)- There is the Giant of Loneliness

(4)- There is the Giant of Guilt & Shame

(5)- There is the Giant of Worry

(6)- There is the Giant of Discouragement

(7)- There is the Giant of Jealousy

(8)- There is the Giant of Depression

(9)- There is the Giant of Hopelessness

(10)- There is the Giant of Bitterness

(11)- There is the Giant of Pride

(12)- There is the Giant of Selfishness

(13)- There is the Giant of Doubt

We can say that these things and many other things like these oppose God!

You see, these things that I mentioned in and of them selves can distract us; detour us; and drain us of being everything God intends for us to be. Therefore it goes without saying - “Giants” that are before us must be slain and removed.

I would like for you to think about this question: How do you see your “giant”? Do you see it as a problem {or} Do you see it as a Possibility?

Here in our text, we find the familiar story of David and Goliath. As 1 Samuel 17 opens, we read about a war raging in a wide valley called Elah. The Philistines were ready to battle Israel. The Philistines sent out a man named Goliath. (Many times, in order to save the lives of many soldiers, each side would send out one man to do battle.) The Philistines chose to send out their Champion, Goliath; Israel chose to run and hide.

Into the picture appears a little shepherd boy; his name was David. David was just delivering supplies from home to his 3 older brothers. When he arrived at the camp, he heard the voice of Goliath across the valley taunting Israel and their God. David became appalled at Goliath’s ridicule and the cowardly reaction from the soldiers of Israel. David couldn’t understand why they were so afraid.

I can imagine what David must have thought when he saw Goliath. But David did not seem concerned about this “giant”; he was very disappointed because of the fear that Israel showed toward him. David asked Saul and his soldiers: {17:29}- “Is there not a cause?”

Now we know the rest of the story how God used David to defeat Goliath. What I would like to do for the next few moments is see (1)- How David Confronted Goliath; (2)- How David Challenged Goliath; and (3)- How David Conquered Goliath!

I want you to recognize in this story that there is far more at stake than just a little man defeating a big man. You must recognize that this is a picture of great struggles that are taking place in the lives of God’s people right now.

God’s people need to understand that they need to a)- Confront Their Giants; b)- Challenge Their Giants; and c)- Conquer Their Giants! (What should we do with the “giants” in our lives?)

(1)- We Must Courageously Face Our Giants

I believe as David heard the voice of Goliath and saw him standing in the valley of Elah, he said to himself; “That ‘giant’ must go down.” I also believe that David understood that confronting Goliath would not be an easy task.

I want us to take a moment and notice what David saw as he looked and confronted Goliath.

a)- The Description Of Goliath

His Appearance: Look at {17:4}- “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” Goliath was a gigantic man. He was [9’ 9”] tall. His appearance was beyond comprehension.

His Armor: Goliath was decked out in brass armor. Notice {17:5-7}- “And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. [6]- And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. [7]- And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.”

Some scholars say that his brass armor weighed between 120 and 215 pounds. His ‘spear’ had a head of iron weighing about 25 pounds. Goliath even had a servant standing in front of him holding up his shield.

Why do you think Goliath wore all this brass that day? Picture the sun shining on that brass causing the Israelites to be blinded. This was psychological warfare. Goliath wore it to play on the minds of Israel. He wanted to intimidate them before any fighting began. Goliath wanted to appear stronger and unbeatable. (He accomplished this task because Israel was afraid of him.)

His Allegiance: According to {17:43} Goliath cursed David in the name of his gods. When David saw Goliath and heard what he was saying, he asked the question found in; {17:26b}- “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”

David used the phrase “uncircumcised Philistine” to expose the fact that Goliath did not belong to the Covenant people Israel. “Circumcision” to the people of God was one of the constant reminders of the fact that God had made a Covenant with them. It meant that they belonged to God. Goliath, being called an “uncircumcised Philistine” meant that he opposed all that God stood for.

 

{note}> Goliath’s ‘gods’ were known as {Dagan} and {Baal-zebub}. {Dagan} means ‘fish’. More than likely, the ‘god’ of Dagan was a “fish god” with the head and the hands of a man. {the fish-man}. The ‘god’ {Baal-zebub} means ‘lord of the flies.’ {‘Baal’ - ‘lord’ … ‘zebub’ - ‘the flies’.} These flies were known as “dung beetles”. The ‘god’ that this ‘giant’ worshipped was a ghastly beast that crawled around on waste.

As we read these verses, we can vision in our minds that Goliath was an impressive man. He seemed unstoppable. He presented himself as someone who would not go down.

What kind of ‘giant’ are you facing? What seems to be stopping you dead in your tracks? Does your ‘giant’ seem unstoppable? Do you feel that there is no way that you can defeat something that you are facing at this moment?

Listen carefully. Before David could fight Goliath, he had to realize and recognize ‘who’ and ‘what’ he was facing. David had to confront his ‘giant’ in his mind and in his heart before he ever tried to attack him. He knew that there was no way around Goliath; David knew that Goliath had to fall. David had to realize the fact that Goliath was no ordinary adversary.

The Description Of Goliath

b)- The Demands Of Goliath

Goliath was a representative of the Philistines. He called out for someone, anyone from the army of Israel to fight him. Goliath was aggressive. He was persistent. Every day, twice a day, for 40 days, Goliath stood in territory that belong to Israel and demanded that someone fight him. {17:16}

Every day, twice a day, for 40 days, all Israel could hear was this voice echoing through the valley. The size of Goliath; the sound of Goliath; the strength of Goliath was frightening. The people of God were actually in the bondage of fear because of some ‘giant’ that stood against them and their God. Goliath wanted God’s people to surrender so they could serve his people.

Someone said:

“Goliath shouts out his garbage and Saul and his people swallow the threats.” (They were afraid.)

When David heard these demands, he became very upset because no one had the courage to stand up against this ‘giant’ Goliath. David knew that eventually Goliath would have to be faced, and he would have to be defeated.

{note}> I want to note here that Goliath [I believe] is an Old Testament picture, or a type, of Satan himself. There is something significant about Goliath’s size. {His height} was 6 cubits; he had 6 pieces of armor; the iron head of his spear weighed 600 shekels.

The 3-fold repetition of the number 6 here is interesting because in the Bible the devil’s Superman is identified by the 3-fold repetition of this number: [666] {Revelation 13:18}. In a sense, Goliath was a picture of this coming “beast” whose power is the working of Satan.

Goliath was called a “Champion”. He was a Superman, a mighty man, a powerful person. (Again, this reminds us of the power of our enemy Satan.)

{1 Peter 5:8}- “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

{Ephesians 6:12}- “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Goliath was arrogant, defiant and rebellious against the things of God. He roared like a lion as he spoke in the valley of Elah. Satan is making more noise today than perhaps ever before; and many of the people who claim to be children of God are covering up and running away.

{Now, I don’t want you to overlook an interesting truth that is right here before us.} Goliath was standing and shouting at God’s people. Israel was God’s chosen people. In fact, when David appears on the scene, Goliath was going to face the future king of Israel. David, we are told back in {1 Samuel 16} had been chosen by God and had been anointed to be the future king of Israel. This means that after David had been [anointed] king, God had {appointed} him to face and fight Goliath.

I want you to understand something. It makes no difference who you think you are or how good of a Christian you may be or you want to be - - there are going to be times in your life when God will {appoint} you and {allow} you to face a ‘giant’. And you will not be able to move on in your Christian life until you confront that ‘giant’.

David knew that in order to regain the territory that belonged to Israel, Goliath had to be confronted. He knew that Goliath was a force to be reckoned with. David knew that Goliath would not go away. David had heard his voice; David could sense some fear; David knew that Goliath was a dangerous threat. But David also knew that somehow, someway, and at some point, Goliath had to be removed.

Let me ask you something. What is Satan using as a ‘giant’ to stop you from becoming the Christian you ought to be? (1)- Do you have [resentment] in your heart toward someone that did you wrong or something that has happened in the past? (2)- Are you running from something that God has called you to do? (3)- Is your family facing marital or financial difficulties? (4)- Are you having trouble with ‘guilt’ or ‘shame’ that you feel because of something you did in the past? (5)- Has something taken place in the past that so disappointed you that you just can’t seem to get over? (6)- Are you finding it difficult to have a consistent and committed Christian life? (7)- Is your pride keeping you from giving your life over completely to God!

What you are going to have to do is FACE YOUR GIANT and realize that you cannot go on in your Christian life until that ‘giant’ is dealt with.

{note}> I want to encourage you to write down your ‘giant’ {or} ‘giants’ that you need to confront. As you write them down, you will begin to see them in a different light. You will not only realize that you must get past them; you will also recognize the fact that they can be defeated and removed by the help of the Lord.

1)- We Must Courageously Face Our Giants

(2)- We Must Confidently Fight Our Giants

O.S. Hawkins wrote:

“A problem is the platform upon which God desires to show how wonderful He can provide. Our Lord never performed a Miracle that did not begin at the platform of a problem.

Jesus fed 5,000 people; Why? Because they were hungry. He healed a man who had not walked in 38 years; Why? Because he was lame. He gave sight to the blind; Why? Because they could not see. If we are ever to learn how to defeat our ‘giant’, we must first learn to properly evaluate the situation.”

Listen carefully: Defeat is a possibility for the believer; but it is not a necessity!

{Proverbs 29:25}- “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whosoever putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

You don’t have to be defeated by your ‘giant’. Have you thought about the fact that your ‘giant’ may not be your real problem? Your real problem may be your evaluation of your ‘giant’.

The ‘giant’ that you are facing may just be God’s means of getting you to ask Him for the blessing He has been waiting to give you all along. Your ‘giant’ should not be a problem; it should be an opportunity for God to perform a Miracle in your life.

There are many Christians who are so discouraged about what is taking place in their life. Listen carefully: At the base of your discouragement is a lie from Satan. What so many Christians who are discouraged have done is that they have dropped their “shield of faith” and have failed to truly trust the Lord.

{Let me teach you 2 ways that you can Challenge your ‘giant’ that you are facing.}

a)- Recall The Facts Of Past Victories

Let’s begin reading in {17:32-37}- “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. [33]- And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

[34]- And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35]- And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. [36]- Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

[37]- David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.”

Here is what took place. David went before King Saul to explain to him that Goliath must be defeated. Saul and the army of Israel were men that were ‘giant dominated’. But David came before King Saul as a person God Dominated!

While King Saul couldn’t understand why David wanted to go out and face Goliath, David couldn’t get over the fact of what God had done for him in the past. King Saul kept talking about how big Goliath was compared to them. David began to talk about how small Goliath was compared to his God.

King Saul began to repeat his excuses. David began to remember his experiences. David kept a spiritual file in his mind and heart of the things God had done for him.

{note}> I can see David as he listens to King Saul coming up with reasons why they shouldn’t face and fight Goliath. David goes over in the spiritual filing cabinet of his mind and heart and looks under the ‘B’ file. He remembers how God had allowed him to defeat a [bear] that had attacked his sheep. Then he goes to the ‘L’ file. He remembers how God gave him strength to defeat a [lion] that took one of his sheep.

I can hear David, after listening to King Saul and his excuses, tell him; “King Saul, your right. I am just a teenager. I am just a little shepherd boy. But I would like to share something with you. There was a day when a bear attacked my sheep and took one of them. God gave me strength to go over to that bear, take my little sheep out of his mouth and I killed him.

Soon after that, a lion attacked my sheep; but God gave me strength to look at that lion straight in the eyes; I pulled his beard and I killed him. KING SAUL; THE SAME GOD THAT GAVE ME STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THE BEAR AND LION WILL GIVE ME STRENGTH TO KILL THIS UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE. LET ME AT HIM!”

David knew that he could confront and challenge Goliath based on the fact of what God had done for him in the past.

{I want you to learn a lesson God taught me.} While David was faithfully tending his sheep, all alone, facing and defeating the bear and the lion - God was preparing him to face Goliath!

There are 2 things that you need to understand about what God is doing in your life.

(1)- The little battles in our life are getting us ready for the big battles we are going to face!

(2)- Private Victories are preparing us for public victories.

David could challenge Goliath because he knew that since God took care of him in the past, God could and would take care of him in the present. David had nothing to fear in his present because of what God did for him in his past.

I believe that it would do you some good to go back to your spiritual filing cabinet and pull up some files of what God did for you in your past.

Look under the “H” file. Think about the ‘hurt’ that you felt; then think about the ‘healing’ that God brought to your family. {Physical healing; emotional healing.}

Look under the “F” file. Think about the “failure” you were; then think about the ‘forgiveness’ that God gave you time and time again.

Look under the “C” file. Think about how God saved your “child” and spared your “child” when people were saying that there was no hope for them.

Look under the “D” file. Think about the “deep depression” that you were in. You don’t know how you got there; but you know that it had to be God that brought you out.

Look under the “D” file. Think about how “discouraged” you were; you wanted to quit. But God gave you Supernatural Courage to keep going.

Look under the “N” file. Think about the time you were about to have a complete “nervous breakdown”; but God gave you “peace that passes all understanding.”

Look under the “R” file. Think about the time you were “restless”; you couldn’t sleep. But God gave you Peace to settle you. “I will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is focused on Me and you trust in Me.”

Look under the “P” file. Think about all the “problems” that needed to be solved. If you look close enough you see the letters “S.G.” [Sufficient Grace] … “M.G.” [More Grace].

Look under the “T” file. Think about the “tests” and “trials” that you have gone through. You begin to remember the Scriptures that brought you through them. You see the letters {T.P.} - Tried and Proven.

You should never forget what God has done for you in the past. As you look back over the circumstances and situations you have been through, you will discover that God was just preparing you to face the ‘giants’ that are ahead of you.

Remember this: IF GOD GAVE YOU STRENGTH AND VICTORY IN THE PAST, HE WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND VICTORY IN YOUR PRESENT SITUATION. a)- RECALL THE FACTS OF PAST VICTORIES!

b)- Renew Your Faith For Present Victories

David’s confidence {was not in his own ability}; he was no match for Goliath. David’s confidence {was not in his armor}; David refused to wear man’s clothing. {NOTE}> He was not going to dress like Goliath and look like Goliath and act like Goliath so he could go out and try to defeat Goliath. David understood that it “was not by his might, nor by his power; it was by God’s Spirit.”

{NOTE}> Think about something. If armor that King Saul wanted David to wear to war so that he would be protected from Goliath, why didn’t King Saul put on the armor and go out and fight Goliath himself? Saul knew that no earthly armor would protect a man from Goliath.

David’s Confidence Rested In The God That Brought Him Through The Past! (This is where the battle was won!) David knew that his God Was Bigger That Goliath!

David had set his mind and heart to Confront Goliath and Challenge Goliath. David had no doubt in his mind and no fear in his heart!

If you are facing a ‘giant’ in your life, the only thing you can do is to put your faith in the God who can do all things. Don’t look at your ‘giant’ from an earthly point of view; look at it from Heaven’s point of view. God is bigger than any ‘giant’ that you will ever face.

1)- We Must Courageously Face Our Giants!

2)- We Must Confidently Fight Our Giants!

3)- We Must Completely Finish Our Giants

Now, before David conquered Goliath, he had to overcome some obstacles that were before him.

(1)- David Had To Overcome The Obstacle Of Cowardice. The whole army of Israel was cowards.

(2)- David Had To Overcome The Obstacle Of Criticism. David’s brothers criticized him for coming to their camp.

(3)- David Had To Overcome The Obstacle Of Concern. King Saul didn’t think that David had a chance. Think about this: David could not fight Goliath on the mountain, he had to go down into a valley in order to face and fight him. {17:3}

(4)- Now David Has To Overcome The Obstacle Of A Champion! David was about to face the greatest challenge of his life. (He was prepared for this challenge.)

David was not afraid nor did he hesitate about going out to meet Goliath. We are told that {17:48}- “David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”

I can hear King Saul and his army; “David don’t go. He’s too big to hit.” I can hear David as he runs at Goliath; “You’ve got it all wrong. HE’S TOO BIG TO MISS!”

a)- David Experienced The Power Of The Lord

In {17:41-44} we see that Goliath didn’t think much of David. In fact, from an earthly stand point, David looked outclassed and outmanned. But from a Heavenly stand point, Goliath was no match for David’s God!

David Faced Goliath In The Name Of The Lord! Notice {17:45}- “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: BUT I COME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOST, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

I don’t have to remind you that there is Power in the Name of the Lord. When you face your ‘giant’ take time to whisper the Name of Jesus. It will give you comfort, calmness and Courage.

Solomon said in {Proverbs 18:10}- “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

David Faced Goliath With The Weapons From The Lord. David had a sling; and he had 5 stones. God didn’t want David to face Goliath with Saul’s armor; but God didn’t want David to face Goliath unarmed. God wanted David to use the basics. David used a sling and 5 smooth stones (5 stones; one for Goliath, and the rest for his sons) and he had complete trust in his God to help him overcome Goliath.

In {17:46,47} David knew that the battle was in the Hands of the Lord. As David ran at Goliath, he knew that Goliath had to fall. He reached into his bag; he pulled out a smooth stone; he put that stone in his sling, and he threw it at Goliath. The stone sunk right in the forehead of Goliath and he fell immediately to the ground. {That was the last thing that entered into the mind of Goliath.} {17:51,52} tells us that David stood over Goliath; then he took the sword of Goliath, and cut off his head.

a. DAVID EXPERIENCED THE POWER OF THE LORD!

b)- David Enjoyed The Provision Of The Lord

In {17:52,53} we see that David and the army of Israel enjoyed the fruits of their victory.

{note}> David is an example that when one life is yielded to the Lord - - it will make a huge difference in many lives! Think about this: remember that his brothers did not want David there. They didn’t think much of him. But once David defeated Goliath, his brothers were one of many who enjoyed the spoils of victory.

The same thing that happened to David can happen to you. You can face, fight, and finish off your ‘giant’ if you will just trust and depend upon the Lord. Don’t just throw a stone at your Goliath and hit him in the forehead; go over to “your giant”, take the sword and cut its head off and completely finish it. Don’t give that “giant” that you are facing in your life an opportunity to live again in your life. CONQUER YOUR GIANT!

{note}> David is a wonderful picture of our Lord. David Was The Sanctified One. He had been anointed to with oil to be the future king. Jesus was the Anointed One.

David Was The Sent One. David was sent by his father. Jesus was the Sent One. He was sent by His Heavenly Father.

David Was The Scorned One. He was treated with scorn and ridiculed by his own brothers. Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

David Was The Saving One. Because David faced and defeated Goliath, all of Israel was victorious. Jesus died on the Cross; buried in a borrowed tomb; rose from the grave 3 days later; defeating Satan and all the forces of hell.

When the battle was over and Goliath and the Philistines were defeated, Saul began to enquire about David {17:55:56}. David’s victory over Goliath made King Saul’s heart wonder “What made David so different?”

As you face your “giants” and fight your “giants” and finish your “giants”, people will begin to ask “What makes you so different?”

 

It makes no difference what you are facing; it makes no difference what your ‘giant’ may be. You can defeat any ‘giant’ that comes your way. “Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.”

When David defeated Goliath, others were blessed. Others are watching how you face your ‘giants’. When you allow God to give you victory over your ‘giant’, others will be encouraged and blessed.

God Is Greater Than Your Giants