One giant, five stones?
The famous story of David and Goliath is told in 1 Samuel 17. It is a classic underdog story – the little guy, a shepherd boy, actually, wins the day and defeats the giant, who is girded with weaponry, fighting skill and massive size on his side while David possesses nothing but a sling and a few rocks. Really, it is a powerful and inspiring story of what one person can do against the most fearsome foe when fighting on the side of the Lord, but there’s so much more! David was a worshipper and long before he was king, and long before he killed giants, he was out in the fields, where no one was looking, and where no one cared, and he was writing songs of love to the Lord. This is what empowered him to slay giants. If you’re anything like anyone else – you’ve got giants in your life too, can I get a witness?!
Here’s a question for you to consider from this story: Why did David choose 5 stones to kill one giant? Why not seven or three, or even just one since he was such a marksman? Have you ever thought about that? Here’s the gist:
“There went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, Goliath was his name, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span (about 9 feet 9 inches tall!)…He stood and called out to the ranks of Israel, “I defy the battle lines of Israel this day. Give me a man, and let us fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were filled with terror and were greatly afraid…The Philistine stepped forward morning and evening and took his stand daily for forty days….David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, “What will be done for the man that kills this Philistine and takes away this reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”…David said, “The Lord who 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.” …He took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook. And he put them in his shepherd’s bag, even in a pouch. And his sling was in his hand. Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods…Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have reviled. This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand…When the Philistine arose and came near to meet David, David hurried and ran toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag and took from there a stone. And he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead. Therefore the stone sunk into his forehead and he fell upon his face to the ground.”
While we may not know the truth until we see David on the other side of eternity, here are two possibilities: 1) Goliath had several equally as enormous brothers; and 2) Goliath wasn’t the only enemy David knew he might have to face that day.
A giant – that thing that you fear and run away from and dread facing in your life, that thing that taunts you and causes you so much turmoil – he is only a representative of the bigger problem.
Here’s the thing about the giant in front of you – he isn’t alone. Your giant has “brothers” – related giants that may very well present themselves as a threat. Your giant has an army behind him too. In David’s story, the Philistine army fled as soon as they saw their champion was dead. However, they came back. And they came back again and again and again. A giant never stands alone. A giant – that thing that you fear and run away from and dread facing in your life, that thing that taunts you and causes you so much turmoil – he is only a representative of the bigger problem. Yes, your giant is raging at you. Mocking your faith. Shouting. The sheer size of your giant may be intimidating, threatening and overwhelming, but it’s just one giant. The army behind him may flee temporarily, but they’ll regroup and come back. Or – worse – find another giant. That’s how the enemy works!
David knew this and you should too: A giant never stands alone. Your giant represents greater issues in your life that need to be chased down and destroyed once you’ve faced the giant. David wasn’t afraid of Goliath because he had the Lord on his side – yes – but also because he had incredible perspective about the threat he was facing. He knew that the giant before him was big and evil, but was a single-shot enemy. The lie that Satan will tell you is that the giant in your life is the biggest thing you’ll ever face – and that is so not true! Don’t think that just because you’ve faced and defeated your giant that the battle is over. Satan loves to see the look on your face when you’re feeling victorious because you slew a giant and then the real enemy comes at you. What is hiding behind your giant represents the ongoing threat, the continuing battle and if stones are all you need, use one on the giant and have the others ready for the next battle!
Thought for today
If you’re battling giants like depression, addiction, anxiety, sexual compulsion, loss, guilt and shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, discouragement and more and worse, you need to address the pain and circumstances that drove you to that point. There are “brothers” to your giant – issues related to what is standing right in front of you, and they may emerge and present themselves as a threat down the road. Then, there is the army behind your giant. The issues that will regroup and come back to fight you over and over and over if you don’t destroy them as well. Remember that you do have weapons as your disposal. But also remember this: The Lord will fight for you, but you’re going to have to fight too. David heard from the Lord because David was already used to the sound of His voice! David had made a lifestyle of worship, of dwelling within the Lord’s presence and he was experienced killing off threats (1 Samuel 17:37) before the giant even showed up.
Remember these two things: 1) A giant never stands alone so ready yourself to face the entire army, not just one big, bad dude; and 2) Worship the Lord now– when no one is looking, and you’ll be ready to face the giant and his army on the day of battle! Amen!
