1 Samuel 17:1-11
The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. 3 So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them.
4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! 5 He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. 6 He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. 7 The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield.
8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.
Giants are either Obstacles or Opportunities.
Fear sees obstacles. Faith sees opportunities.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Giant Slaying:
1. Don’t Avoid the Battle.
1 Samuel 17:22
David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers.
2. Don’t Listen to the Critics.
1 Samuel 17:33
“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.”
1 Samuel 17:34
But David persisted.
3. Don’t Fight the Battle Man’s Way.
1 Samuel 17:39
“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.”
You can’t fight spiritual battles with man-made weapons.
4. Do Remember What God Has Done Before.
1 Samuel 17:34-35
“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…”
1 Samuel 17:37
…The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
5. Do Claim Your Victory.
1 Samuel 17:45-47
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies… Today the Lord will conquer you… 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
6. Do Run Towards Your Giant.
1 Samuel 17:48-49
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
True faith leads to bold action.
The giants you’re facing today are already defeated.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
