The story of David and Goliath is probably the favorite story of most all children. . .I know it was mine.
The giants that you and I face define our identity and establish the reality in which we’ve chosen to live. The giants we face and defeat outline the places and spaces where we’ve chosen to live.
The giants in our lives. . .are determined to keep us out of our promised land where the promises of God are manifested.
By the way, you’re in your promised land. . .right now. . .the question is whether or not we embrace His promises to make it a land flowing with milk and honey. . .abundance and success.
Our ability to face and defeat our giants. . .will determine the extent of the success we achieve.
Slaying our giants will move us from a life of mediocrity to unlimited success. And, yes, from fear to freedom.
While our giants aren’t necessarily physical, they are nevertheless foreboding and at times, terrifying.
It’s not unusual for us to wage an internal, mental war on when and how to face our giants.
The fiercest giant we’ll ever face is within our own thought life.
How we act and react to adversity will determine our success.
Negative thoughts about the possibilities of our future can easily become giants that we’re afraid or reluctant to face.
If we allow our circumstances to become mental and emotional. . .our thoughts will hinder our goals. . .block our destiny. . .discouraging us from trying to overcome the adversity we face.
Defeating the giants we face is more than positive thinking. . .it’s overcoming the internal negative naysayer which continually suggests things like:
“You can’t do that.”
“You can’t accomplish that.”
“You don’t have what it takes to do this or that.”
There’s only one person who wants you to embrace this negativity and he is the enemy of your destiny.
The devil is a liar. . .the father of lies and the truth is not in him.
Always remember, John 8:44 in the New Living Translation says:
“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Allow your Heavenly Father to assist you in defeating your giants. He’s the One who prepares you for battle. . .giving you the victory.
David defeated his giant in fifteen seconds. And you can do the same thing with your giants with a thorough understanding of the Word.
Here are the seven keys.
1. Proper Motivation.
The proper motivation. . .always makes even the difficult challenge. . .easy to understand and overcome.
1 Samuel 17:24-26 says:
“And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.”
It’s important to notice this verse says that “all the men of Israel” including David ran from Goliath and were afraid.
After running away from him. . .some of the men of Israel starting talking about the reward being offered for killing Goliath.
But then something happened to change David’s mind about the challenge. . .he had a defining moment based on new information and motivation.
1 Samuel 17:25 says:
“And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.”
David discovered that the person who killed Goliath would be given three things:
First, the warrior who defeats Goliath will receive “great riches.” God has a benefit delivery system designed for every person who ever drew a breath on planet earth. He desires for you to be rich that’s why He gave you the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).
Make no mistake, your enemy wants you broke, busted and disgusted.
Once you realize who’s fighting against you. . .and the weapons available to you. . .you can begin your active pursuit of the prosperity God has for you. And that would give Him more pleasure than you realizing and manifesting what He intended for you to have (Psalm 35:27).
Second, the warrior now victorious and wealthy will receive the hand of the King’s beautiful daughter in marriage.
When you marry into the King’s famly. . .you’re immediately given a favored place in the court. . .and opportunities for wealth and success beyond your previous experience or expectation.
Third, the victorious warrior will also have all their bills paid in full.
The enemy wants to keep you up to your eyeballs in debt. . .strung out by payments and with little, if any, hope of ever becoming debt free.
The enemy wants you to believe that where you are in life right now. . .is where you’re going to stay. That’s simply not true.
Upon learning of the reward. . .David made a profound statement in 1 Samuel 17:26 when he said:
“. . .who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
David, finally received the right motivation. . .what is your motivation?
2. The Right Weapon.
There are three things you should know when it comes to choosing your weapons.
First, get rid of anything that doesn’t work for you.
Eliminate anything that can be weaknesses or that will restrict you movement and possibilities of success.
1 Samuel 17:38-40 in the Contemporary English Version says:
“Saul had his own military clothes and armor put on David, and he gave David a bronze helmet to wear. David strapped on a sword and tried to walk around, but he was not used to wearing those things. "I can't move with all this stuff on," David said. "I'm just not used to it."
While King Saul’s armor didn’t weigh as much as Goliath’s it’s generally agreed by historians that his armor weighed between one and two hundred pounds. If you’ve never been used to wearing that much gear. . .it would be a heavy unmanageable load.
In the marketplace. . .remember that just because somebody else does something that it may not work the same way for you.
Second, find something that will work for you. Play to your strengths.
1 Samuel 17:40 in the Contemporary English Version says:
“David took off the armor and picked up his shepherd's stick. He went out to a stream and picked up five smooth rocks and put them in his leather bag. Then with his sling in his hand, he went straight toward Goliath.”
David’s weapons of choice wouldn’t work for anybody else but him. . .but that’s okay because he was the only one headed to the field of battle.
Third, you have weapons that can defeat every foe.
2 Corinthians 10:4 in the Amplified Bible says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.”
You have weapons at your disposal which are undefeatable in every battle you will ever face.
The Message Bible translation of 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 gives an even clearer picture of your arsenal and the purpose of your warfare.
“The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
I strongly suggest that you listen to or read that verse one more time.
3. Faith To Win.
Faith in the God empowers you to victory on your giants and all the negative thoughts the enemy throws your way.
If you’re blessed you have a spouse, family, close friend or pastor who believes in you. But, if you don’t, do your best to get over it because God has faith in you.
David’s family didn’t have a lot of faith in or expectations of him.
In reading 1 Samuel 17:12-18 we discover that Jesse, David’s father viewed him as a delivery boy to take food to his three oldest brothers who were in Saul’s army to fight the Philistines.
Jesse had so little faith in David that he didn’t invite him to the house when the prophet Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel.
Not only that. . .the youngest son was often sent to the fields to tend the sheep even though it was considered dangerous work because of attacks by bears, lions and thieves.
That’s why when Joseph’s brothers brought his bloodied coat of many colors to Jacob he didn’t even question the fate of his son.
Back to David who didn’t got to school to learn the art of killing giants. No mentors handed down a how to list. In fact, when David expressed his desire to fight Goliath. . .his brothers ridiculed him and King Saul doubted his ability.
But God. . .that’s right. . .BUT GOD saw David’s heart. He witnessed David’s faith in His ability to bring him victory.
1 Samuel 17:32-37 in the New Living Translation says:
“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
As you fight your giants. . .recall past victories. . .praising God for them. . .will empower you to defeat every giant you face.
David said “. . .the Lord. . .will rescue me from the Philistine.”
There was no doubt. . .just faith in God.
4. God First.
To paraphrase a Barry White song.
“God must be your first, your last, your everything.”
Is it possible for you to have perpetual victory over the giants in your life? What does the Word of God say?
1 Corinthians 15:57 in the Amplified Bible says:
“But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When you put God first. . .trust in Him. . .then every effort you make will be successful.
“Brother Harold, are you sure about this?” Well, that’s what the Word says and I believe the Word.
Proverbs 3:6 in The Living Bible says:
“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
God will. . .the Scripture doesn’t say. . . “might, could or should”. . .the Scripture says that when you put God first. . .He WILL direct you and crown YOUR efforts with success.
Psalm 90:17 in the New Living Translation says:
“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”
When we put God first. . .never doubting His word or His promises. . .He will show His approval of our faithfulness by making our efforts. . .the things we put our hands to . . . successful.
Putting God first. . .means not doubting His promises. If you’re facing what appears in the natural to be dire economic circumstances, have faith . . . put God first.
Putting God first. . . means that regardless of job status. . .God will come through for you when things appear to be hopeless.
Putting God first . . .means just that. . .honoring Him for who He is and what He’s done and is doing in your life.
Putting God first. . .means standing your ground against every demonic assault against you, your family and your finances.
Through every mountaintop and valley experience of his life David always put God first.
That’s why we read what we do in Acts 13:22 in the Amplified Bible which says:
“And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart [conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will.’”
5. Don’t worry about what others say.
1 Samuel 17:28 in the Contemporary English Version says:
“David's oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the soldiers. Eliab was angry at him and said, "What are you doing here, anyway? Who's taking care of that little flock of sheep out in the desert? You spoiled brat! You came here just to watch the fighting, didn't you?"
Eliab was not only negative but he was nasty to David.
Consider carefully and meditate on David’s response as found in 1 Samuel 17:28 which says:
“And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
David didn’t defend or justify himself to his brother. It obviously wasn’t the first time Eliab put him down.
David simply asked. . .is there anything you believe. . .that you’re willing to pursue against overwhelming odds.
1 Samuel 17:29 in the Message Bible clearly illustrates what our response should be to negative people. It says:
“Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.”
What should you do with negative people. . .ignore them. . .leave them home. . .and move on to someone else who will not hinder your fight against the giants in your life.
6. Run Toward Your Giant.
1 Samuel 17:48-49 in the Amplified Bible says:
“When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine, sinking into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.”
Did David defeat Goliath because his weapons or his attitude. No, David defeat Goliath because of what he was saying as he ran toward his giant.
1 Samuel 17:45 says:
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
When you refuse to allow fear to break your momentum. . .when you know who you are in Him. . .then you will have a boldness in speaking to the giants in your life.
1 Samuel 17:46 says:
“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
Who gave David the victory? “The Lord will deliver thee into mine hand.”
In reading 1 Samuel 17:47 we clearly see David knew where his victory was coming from.
“And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.”
David ran to his giant with his mouth open. . .with a spiritual momentum that was unstoppable. . .as Goliath fatally discovered.
Your momentum can’t be stopped unless you allow it to happen.
When we do our part. . .God will do His part.
Zechariah 4:6 says:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Every believer who uses principles based on the Word. . .will be energized, enlightened and empowered by the Holy Spirit as they run toward their giants.
7. Finish Off The Job.
1 Samuel 17:49 in the Amplified Bible says:
“David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.”
“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.”
The scripture says that David killed the Philistine with stone. But that was enough for David.
1 Samuel 17:51-52 in the Amplified Bible says:
“So he ran and stood over the Philistine, grasped his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their [mighty] champion was dead, they fled. 52 The men of Israel and Judah stood with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and the gates of Ekron. And the [fatally] wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron.”
David didn’t stop to feel Goliath’s pulse. . .no, he didn’t take a chance. He finished the job.
Have you ever started a project, assignment or job with a sudden burst of enthusiasm only to be slowed down by an obstacle and stop short of your goal by continual obstacles?
Congratulations, you’re average. But you don’t have to stay that way. Those who rise above the crowd are the ones who go the extra mile while others are relaxing in front of the TV.
The strength of a person’s character. . .their grit and drive to success is determined by whether or not they can finish what they started.
Employees who complete the task are more highly valued than those who, though they make a valiant effort, nevertheless, fail to complete the project.
Not only was Jesus a finisher but he made us that way as well.
Philippians 1:6 in the New Living Translation says:
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
On Judgment Day, we want to be able to say the words found in 2 Timothy 4:7 in the Amplified Bible which says:
“I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.”
When you take your giant out. . .when you stop him from causing you problems. . .don’t take a chance. . .finish the job.
How do you defeat a giant in 15 seconds?
1 Samuel 17:45 says:
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
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