Many stories in the Old Testament teach
us valuable lessons we can apply today. When David killed Goliath (1 Samuel
17), it teaches us about how to conquer our giant
problems. Your Goliath may be a situation that you’re afraid to face or a
problem that looks too big to handle.
Every Israeli soldier was afraid to
face Goliath. "When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him
and were greatly afraid" (17:24). David was the only one who wasn't
afraid and was confident he would win. Here’s how he did it.
1. Conquer your fear by placing your
complete trust in God. Fear weakens your willingness
to win. If a boxer is afraid before he
steps into the boxing ring, he will lose the fight. David wrote, "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You...In
God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?” (Ps. 56:3-4). He
knew that trust forces out fear.
2. Pray for God’s wisdom on how to
proceed. Some people will give you wrong advice on how to fight the battle. King Saul tried to get David ready for battle by putting his
bronze helmet and armor on him. David put on the armor and could barely walk
(17:38-39). If he had tried to fight Goliath following Saul’s advice he would
have been killed! But God knew the best way to defeat Goliath was with a rock
and sling. The Lord will tell you the correct way to attack your problem—and
it might not be the way it has always be done.
3. Remember God's faithfulness. As a shepherd, David had killed a lion and a bear that tried
to attack his flock (17:34-36). Those were training exercises to get him
ready for Goliath. He knew God would be with him in the fight because of His
past faithfulness. He said, “Your servant has killed both the
lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of
them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God” (17:36).
When God calls you to do something, He will make it happen. “Faithful is He who
calls you, and He also will bring
it to pass” (1 Thess.
5:24).
David didn't take credit for slaying
the giant but wanted the Lord's name to be exalted, "that all the earth
may know that there is a God in Israel" (17:46). Now go take down the
giant you’re facing today so that God will be glorified. www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
