Slaying Giants

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Friday, June 10, 2005

"It is his battle, not ours. The LORD will give you to us!" (1 Samuel 17:47)

We all face giants in life. You might be facing one right now—something that looms so large, something so frightening or so powerful that you don't think you can ever win against it.

David faced a giant in life. His name was Goliath—and with God's help, David slayed Goliath. If we take a close look at David's battle with Goliath, we'll find a four-step model for slaying our own giants and running the spiritual race.

Remember the Battle Is the Lord's. David said this to Goliath, " 'It is his battle, not ours. The LORD will give you to us!' " (1 Samuel 17:47). Remember Christian, you are on the winning side. God is stronger than the devil. Your God is mightier than any vice, addiction, or problem. The Apostle John wrote, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Attack! If you tolerate a giant, it will take over your territory. Giants are like wildfires. They get out of control and will consume your life. That's why you don't run from giants. You attack them. Stop allowing this sin to enjoy the comfort of darkness. 1 Samuel 17:47 says, "As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him" (NLT). As the enemy grew closer, David raced right at him. You need to do the same with the giants in your life.

Trust Only God. In the story of David and Goliath, David put no trust in Saul's armor. This is a temptation we all face: trusting in our own resources. Sometimes the Lord will reduce us to nothing so He, and He alone, will get the glory. Has that happened to you? That is good. Then God can receive the glory and show you what He is really capable of.

Like David, you can—with God's help—overcome every giant and experience victory in the race of faith.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000