This morning as Andrew and I read the story of David and Goliath, God’s Spirit spoke. “Lisa, that giant that you fear, it is nothing to me. I am bigger. I am stronger, and I like to slay giants using little people of big faith all for my glory. Take your eyes off of the giant. Look at me.”
We see David first speak of the giant in 1 Samuel 17:26 as he interjects himself into a conversation between the soldiers. The men have run in fear of the giant’s great size and strength. I can imagine them, talking about the impossible battle at hand,
“This giant surely will defy Israel. Have you SEEN this beast? Whoever defeats him will be the MAN of men. The king will give him everything, all kinds of riches, his daughter, free living. This guy will be so amazing he will be exalted.”
David says, “WHAT?” Surprised and off guard it seems that he can’t believe these guys have so little faith, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that He should defy the armies of the living God?” The giant’s size unmentioned and irrelevant, David points to the living God.
“Who can stand against Him?”
This reminds me of another passage found in my favorite New Testament chapter, Romans 8, “Who should bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies…” (verse 33)
Who or what stands against you right now? What circumstance seems insurmountable? I have my own.
Let’s look further:
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (verses 34,35)
This is sounding pretty promising for us who know Jesus. What a thought that He prays for us! And of all the “giants” listed, nothing can take us from His love. The promise continues making sure that we don’t miss the point:
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verses 37-39)
Our lives or filled with battles against giants. We have them outside of us and we have them from within. They are real and they are powerful, but held next to God, they are nothing. May God give us the faith of David who trusted in the living God do battle for His people. We are not able to do it, but He is more than able.
“ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3: 14-21
2 comments:
Oh those giants from within seem overwhelmingly huge! I pray to have the faith David had:)
Such a great story for kids, and grown ups too.
I love this reminder! The Holy Spirit reminded me just this week that I was focusing (obsessing) on the wrong stuff every time I worried over my sin and failure.
Thanks for this message, to stop looking at the giant and focus on Father's face.
Rhonda
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