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LET JESUS CONQUER YOUR GIANTS
LET JESUS CONQUER YOUR GIANTS
1 Samuel 17:44-50 (read the entire chapter)
Many of us today are facing “giants” in our lives: discouragement, financial needs, fears, failures, pride, sickness, addictions, etc. What principles can we learn and apply from the life of David, a young shepherd and future king of Israel, as he faced his giant enemy Goliath?
CONSECRATION
Consecration means being in a fully committed relationship with Jesus Christ, which is something we need to have to “see the giants fall” in our lives. In 1 Samuel 16, the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint the future king of Israel. Before doing so, he consecrated Jesse and his sons, then anointed David to be the chosen king according to God’s criteria (vv.4-7). The Spirit of the Lord then came mightily upon David (vv.12-13). David was not the most obvious choice — even his family did not consider him to be worthy. But his ceremonial anointing was a public confirmation of his personal and intimate relationship with God.
Today, water baptism is also a confirmation of a person’s relationship with God. Baptism does not save us, but it is a public declaration that we are in a committed personal relationship with God and that we will follow Jesus for the rest of our lives.
TRENDS SAY: I am the captain of my ship, the master of my destiny. I will live my life my way.
TRUTH SAYS: Galatians 2:20 - No longer I, but Christ!
COURAGE (1 Samuel 17:1-32)
Courage means we trust and obey Jesus in all circumstances. If we trust Him, we will obey Him. As Charles Spurgeon said, “He who fears God has nothing else to fear.”
Years after David’s anointing, the Philistines gathered their armies for battle against the Israelites. Both camps stood on two mountains opposite each other (1 Samuel 17:1,3), and the Israelites just stood there while Goliath, the Philistine champion, challenged them day and night. This dismayed (shattered) King Saul and all of Israel (vv.10-11,16).
The Hebrew word for “champion” means “someone who stands in the gap”. Israel’s army ran away from Goliath, even when incentives were offered to anyone who would fight him (vv. 24-25). They were terrified by how gigantic the enemy was — but David focused on the reputation of God, and this 16-year-old shepherd boy volunteered to fight for His name’s sake (vw.26, 31-32).
TRENDS SAY: If it gets too difficult, just bail out.
TRUTH SAYS: 2 Timothy 1:7: Jesus is our giant-slayer!
COMMEMORATION (1 Samuel 17:33-37)
Commemoration means we recount the faithfulness of Jesus in our lives. The basis of David’s courage was God’s faithfulness in his life (vv.33-34, 37). Both David and Samson had the power to slay the lions that threatened them — not by brute strength but by the Spirit of the Lord. Where have you seen the reality that Jesus is the giant-slayer in your life?
TRENDS SAY: Is there still hope for me? I have failed (or people have failed me) too many times.
TRUTH SAYS: Lamentations 3:21-23: God’s faithfulness is fresh every morning!
CONQUEST (1 Samuel 17:38-50)
Sometimes we refuse to act upon things and choose to simply wait for a solution to come. Conquest means we take action and give glory to Jesus.
David approached Goliath with amazing God-confidence (v.40) and stood firm because he knew God (Daniel 11:32), making sure to glorify Him. When David killed Goliath, he didn’t even have a sword in his hand (vv.48-50)! Today, what we have is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. The greatest triumph over the trends of today is the Truth — Jesus Christ Himself!
TRENDS SAY: I can do this on my own! / I can’t do this anymore!
TRUTH SAYS: Romans 8:37: Conquest is through Jesus who loves us; our Champion who bridged the gap between God and sinners.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Have you consecrated (surrendered, devoted) your life to Jesus? If yes, what has He changed in you? If no, why haven’t you done so?
Name one giant you are facing in your life today. How is it affecting you?
How has God been faithful to you? How does recalling that help your situation today?
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