Facing Giants

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 17:47)

This verse is part of a most amazing address that David gave to Goliath just prior to their meeting in battle. A small solitary unarmed (except for a few small stones) and unprotected shepherd boy was pitted against a giant Philistine warrior with weapons and armor. It was laughable. Or so they thought. Here is what David said to Goliath:

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.” (17:45-47)

Sometimes life seems like one battle after another. Whether the battles are in our personal lives, work lives, or national life, we can get battle weary. Especially if we try to fight those battles with our own strength. David knew he faced a giant, but he also knew His God was so much bigger and so much more powerful. But perhaps the most important thing he knew was that it was not up to him to fight the battle and bring victory. He showed up and did his part, but the results were up to God. And a foundational concept for all of this is the fact that David did not go to the battle with any personal agenda. He went to glorify God.

David’s words for Goliath should be the same as our attitudes toward battles and supposed “enemies.” The battles will present themselves, but we can confidently (trusting with all our hearts!) say, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.” Praying all the while that God alone is glorified.

TRUTHS

1. You can’t fight battles in your own strength… and win.

2. The battle belongs to the LORD. (it is His to wage, not yours).

3. He alone has the power to overcome whatever meets us in battle.

4. You do your part, and God will do His.

5. The outcome of the battle, if placed in God’s hands, will glorify Him, not you.

What are your battles today? Acknowledge the truths above, make these words a personal, sincere and trusting prayer, and give each battle to God. Watch Him work!