Three Reasons You Should Trust God When Facing a Giant

Intro:

1 Samuel 17

Part of God's training plan for David involved putting him through some difficult situations. In those difficult times, David learned to trust in the Lord and walk in the power of God. David learned the lessons he needed to survive, and thrive in life. 1 Samuel 17 introduces us to David at one of the most difficult times in his life. Here David trusts God for a big thing, and in return he sees God perform a miracle. Let's read.

1 Samuel 17:1–50 NIV84

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was old and well advanced in years. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear. Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father’s family from taxes in Israel.” David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

I know we've all heard these verses preached and repeated over and over again.

I am not intending to introduce anything new to what you already know about this story.

But, We all have giants in our lives. We all have some gigantic problems, some are ugly giants and some vicious ones that threaten us and our loved ones, Goliath-like problems.

And many people around us are living in quiet desperation over some issue in their lives.

There are the giants of temptation, giants of fear, giants of jealousy, giants of deceit, discouragement, heartbreak, poverty, financial giants - trouble, serious trouble! That's what we're going to talk about.

Because God's plan for his people is victory-always and in all circumstances.

2 Cor.2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

Rom.8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

‌Let's see David entering the valley of Elah to face a giant over nine feet tall, and learn three reasons you should trust God when facing a giant, are you ready to kill some giants?

Reason # 1

I. v. 17–24 NOTHING HAPPENS IN OUR LIFE BY ACCIDENT

A. This day for David began like any other day.

He plans to tend his sheep and do the same things he has done day after day for years. But, this day will be different! Jesse sends David to check on David’s three elder brothers who are fighting in Saul’s army. They have been gone at least 40 days, 1 Sam. 17:16, and Jesse is worried. You see, in those days countries did not have standing armies. Ordinary citizens would rally around the king when he called for volunteers to fight.

So, David goes to his brothers as he is commanded. When he arrives, he finds the armies of Israel cowering in fear because of the taunts of Goliath,

(Ill. Goliath and his stats - He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.).

Even King Saul appears to be too afraid to face the giant in battle.

But, while the army of Saul hides in their tents, David hears the giant as he blasphemes the Name of God and shames the people of God.

David’s day had started like countless other days had started, but before the sun went down, David found himself face to face with a mighty big giant.

B. Isn’t that just how the giants of life come to you and me?

They rarely give notice that they are coming. You get up one morning, expecting that day to be like any other day, and there it stands: a giant has entered your life.

When they come, they always catch us off guard and they always frighten us. We look up at them and, most of the time; we have no idea what to do.

C. We need to understand that giants don’t just show up; their appearance is well timed.

Now, from our perspective, they just appear. But, from God’s perspective, they are all part of His perfect plan for us.

If we could ever grasp the truth that nothing comes our way apart from the will of God, it would change our attitude toward the giants of life.

Passages like, Rom. 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (The Extent of Security)

All things is utterly comprehensive, having no qualifications or limits. Neither this verse nor its context allows for restrictions or conditions. All things is inclusive in the fullest possible sense. Nothing existing or occurring in heaven or on earth “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus” (8:39).

Psa. 37:23 “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;”

Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

If we could ever grasp the truth of these and many other passages of Scriptures they would become real to us and they would bring great comfort to our hearts.

(Ill. Most of the time, we are just like Israel. They had wandered through the wilderness for two years after they left Egypt. They had arrived at the banks of the Jordan River. All they had to do was cross the river and take the Promised Land of blessing that God had already given to them. Instead of going in and taking the land, they first sent in 12 spies. The spies looked over the land and came back with their report. 10 of the spies were convinced of Israel’s defeat because of the presence of giants in the Promised Land. The spies own words tell the story best,

Num. 13:23–33. The people heeded the negative report of 10 men and had to spend 38 more years in the wilderness.

Here’s the point of all that: did God know about the giants? Could He have removed them before Israel arrived? Did He allow them to be there? The answer to all those questions is “Yes!” Yes, He knew they were there. Yes, He could have removed them. Yes, He allowed them to be there. God wanted Israel to face those giants. 40 years later, when they came back to the Jordan River, guess what, the giants were still there waiting, Deut. 9:1–3.

By the way this same principle is seen over and over in the Bible—3 Hebrews in the furnace, Dan. 3; Daniel in the lion’s den, Dan. 6; Disciples in the storm, Mark 6:45; etc. God knew about all of those events because they were part of His perfect plan!)

D. Here is what I am trying to tell you: When that giant showed up in your life, it did not get there by accident. That giant is there by the providence of God.

It is there because God sent it, allowed it, or however you want to say it. It is there because God, in His precise timing, wanted you to face it when it came to you.

When the giants come, we can get depressed and defeated; or we can realize that they are a tangible symbol of God working out His will in our lives.

We can be like Saul and Israel and we can hide from the giant; or we can be like David and we can face the giant.

We can be discouraged, or we can do like Job and worship in spite of what the giant is doing in our lives, Job 1:20–21.

The choice is your. But, if we can ever understand that giants come according to God’s timing; it will help us survive in giant country.

First reason why I can trust God when I am facing a giant - NOTHING HAPPENS IN MY LIFE BY ACCIDENT

Second reason why I can trust God when facing a giant…

David knew that everything God had done in the past, he was still able to do.

II. v. 25–40 GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR FAITH AND TRUST

A. When David hears the threats and defiance of Goliath, he determines that something must be done about this giant.

You can see his intentions, v. 26-32; and David begins to act to see Goliath defeated.

But as soon as David declares his desire to see the giant defeated, he is meet with criticized, v. 28, and doubts, v. 33.

‌However, David goes ahead and faces the giant/problem, here we can see a young man who learned something about faith and trust in the Lord.

1. David has learned about God’s Purposes—1 Sam. 16:13—

David had been anointed as king to sit on a throne. David knew that he would not die this day.

2. David has learned about God’s Protection—v. 34–37—

3. David has learned about God’s Power—v. 38–40—

David knew that victory did not reside in swords, shields, spears, armor and bows, but in the mighty power of God. He would go into this battle with the same God and the same weapons he had used before.

In other words, David’s trust was not in the army, the armor or the armaments; David’s trust was in Almighty God.

The same God Who had protected him and given his victory after victory on the hills of Judea, would grant him the victory in the Valley of Elah!

For David, there was only one giant there that day and His name was not Goliath. The only giant David had in his life was the Lord God Almighty, v. 26, 32, 36–37.

B. What a lesson for those of us who also face giants from time to time!

If we could ever learn the same lessons that David learned about fighting giants; we could make short work of them all. Here is what you need to know:

1. God did not save you for some giant to destroy you—

God saved you to bear fruit, and a lot’s of fruit! And Then take you home to glory some day!

That giant cannot undo the eternal work God has already done in your soul, Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:12.

That giant is there as part of God’s eternal plan in your life. That giant is there to grow you, Num. 14:9.. You can trust God’s Purposes!

2. God will not change his thoughts about you in the middle of the program —

He will always be that which He has ever been. One of the greatest attributes of our Lord is Him immutability. That simply means His unchangeableness!

God is a God Who cannot change, Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8! The same God Who did all those marvelous, miraculous things we read about in the Bible is still the same God today!

You’ve heard about the Red Sea; the Manna; Water from a Rock; the widow’s Oil & Flour; the Loaves and the Fishes; the Raising of Lazarus; etc.

Well, the same God Who did all those things and countless others is still our God today!

Ill. His Name says it all—Ex. 3:14. He is the self-existent; changeless God! You can trust God’s Protection!

(Ill. We seem to have no trouble remembering our past defeats; but we have real trouble remembering that victories the Lord has given. Think about it! We can remember every valley; but can’t seem to remember even one mountain top.)

3. God will never fail those who place their trust in Him—

Those who trust men, methods and materials can and will fail. But, those who place their unwavering trust in God and His power will never fail.

You see, our God is not a weak, anemic God. No! He is a God of power; a God of glory; a God Who is ever moving in mighty ways to make His power known.

Those who trust Him as they face the giants of life can see that power work in their lives by faith. God is powerful, Luke 1:38; Matt. 28:18; Jer. 32:17.

And, those who walk with their faith in Him can experience that power, Heb. 11:1; Eph. 3:20; Ill. God is “able”—Dan. 3:17; Dan. 6:20; Heb. 7:25.

C. Where is your trust as you face the giants of life?

Is it in man; in the economy; in self? Those will all fail. As we face our giants let us be certain that our faith and our dependence is in the Lord.

He and He alone will never fail! Our survival depends on our being able to trust Him.

III. v. 41–54 GOD GRANTS VICTORY TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE TO WIN

A. There comes a time when talk must stop and action must begin.

The time had come for David to take that which he had already been given by the Lord.

He walked down into that valley; faced that giant; declared his faith in God; slung that stone; and killed that giant.

What a moment it must have been in young David’s life to see God do that which no one but David believed possible!

B. Friends, there is a time when the talking needs to stop and the taking needs to begin!

As we face our own giants day by day, isn’t it about time that we started taking by faith some of the things we have only talked about up until now?

For instance, we talk about God providing for us, Phil. 4:19. But, we still worry over our finances.

We talk about God’s grace in every situation in life, 2 Cor. 12:9. But, we still act like we aren’t going to make it.

We talk about God being in control of our lives, Rom. 8:28. But, we live like our lives are out of control.

Isn’t it time we stopped talking about all we could have in Jesus and we just started taking it?

David defeated Goliath because he was willing to take what God had given him by faith.

The same thing will work in your life and mine today! As we face our giants, we have already been promised victory, 1 Cor. 15:57The same thing will work in your life and mine today! As we face our giants, we have already been promised victory,

2 Cor. 2:14 ; Rom. 8:37; let’s take it. How? By doing what David did. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ;

2 Cor. 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

Rom. 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Let’s take it. How? By doing what David did.

1. Place your trust in the Lord.

2. Believe that He can do everything that He has ever done.

3. Then, walk into your valley, square off with your giant and keep slinging until he falls. I am convinced that is the reason David took five stones to kill one giant. He knew he might miss on the first shot and he aimed to keep slinging stones until he had the victory.

C. Friend, whether you believe in me or not, here is the truth of the matter: You are a giant killer!

Not because you possess any power; but because you serve a God Who possesses all power.

Not because your aim is good; but, because you serve a God never misses.

Not because you deserve anything at all from God; but, because He has promised to give you His victory through His Son, the Lord Jesus.

So, get out there and take what’s yours by faith! Your survival depends on it!

Conc:

So, do you have a giant that you would like to see defeated in your life?

Let me tell you, they don’t always fall easy! Goliath went down on the first swing; yours and mine might take many more than that. But, if your giant ever falls, it will be through the work of

Almighty God in your life, on your behalf, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts,” Zechariah 4:6.

It is interesting to watch the characters involved in this account.

Saul nurses his fears; Eliab feeds his jealousy; Goliath polishes his pride; and David flexes his faith.

The rest watched as David claimed victory. It could have been Saul; it could have been Eliab; it could have been any of the thousands of Israel; but it was left to a shepherd boy to claim the victory and teach them all about the power of faith.

So, today, you can hide in your tent and try to avoid that giant. Maybe he will just do away. He won’t. Look at verses 3 and 23. By the time the 40th day had arrived, Goliath had already crossed the valley and was starting up the mountainside toward the camp of Israel.

Your giant won’t just go away; he will get closer and closer and eventually, he will defeat you, if you do nothing. Your giant will not be content to do nothing; he will take over your life if he can.

Or, you can get up and go out to meet that giant in with your faith in the God of battles.

That is the recipe for victory in the war against the giants of life. If you need to do a little giant killing this morning, this altar is a good place to load your sling and take your swing at your giant.