“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47
Do you know any giants in your life? No? Think again. In terms of football rivals perhaps Marion or St. Francis come to mind. Or perhaps that project due halfway through the semester has you shaking in your boots. We all encounter giants of one sort or another. A “giant” is anything that comes into our lives that by all appearances seems insurmountable, at least at first glance.
A narrative in 1 Samuel tells us a familiar story - David and Goliath. You know the story. Israel has been taunted by a particularly antagonistic giant who has shaken the Israeli army to the core. Day after day Goliath comes out to rattle them and they have been left paralyzed. By all appearances it seems that Goliath has already won the battle. But then this young upstart arrives on the scene, on an errand to deliver food for his brothers, and he decides to take up the giant’s challenge. David has been in this position before and he’s learned that he doesn’t need to face “giants” on his own. Every time he’s faced an insurmountable foe he has found that his abilities alone haven’t won. It’s been God’s hand with him.
When David approaches Goliath he’s met with more taunts, especially since his weapon of choice is a slingshot and some stones. But David isn’t daunted. He declares, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.” (1 Samuel 17:46a) When David saw Goliath he didn’t see an insurmountable enemy. He saw a challenge able to be conquered by God; he saw Goliath through the eyes of faith. Jesus himself reminded his disciples “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
Who or what is the giant in your life right now? Are you seeing your situation through human eyes or with the eyes of faith? Commit that “giant” to Jesus in prayer right now. Declare Jesus’ words right back to Him - “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” And believe.