Cutting Giants Down To Size
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war…Saul and the Israelites assembled…and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. A champion named Goliath…came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze… on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels… Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (From 1 Samuel 17:1-11)
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him… Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (From 1 Samuel 17:32-37)
I have always enjoyed this story of David’s courage from the Old Testament. Among other things, it expresses the difference that “perspective” can make. King Saul and his army saw an armor laden, spear-wielding giant challenging them. David, however, saw only a mere man defying Jehovah and His army. Knowing that God would be at his side, David had no qualms about fighting the profane giant.
We all occasionally encounter “giants” of one kind or another – illness, financial setbacks, and family, school or job problems. Although these “giants” may appear overpowering, we must learn to see them from David’s perspective – WITH GOD AT OUR SIDE. Doing so will put all “giants” in perspective, enabling us to courageously confront them.
"Do not be afraid…for I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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