1 Samuel 17 – THE GIANT
Vs. 1 – Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that there is an invading army in your country ready to attack. A similar thing happened to King Saul and the nation Israel. One day the Philistines moved into Israeli territory and set up camp! They were there to invade Israel.
Vss. 2-3 -Word came to King Saul, who mustered his army and went down to the same valley and set up for battle against the Philistines. They were on opposite mountains from each other with a valley in between.
Vss. 4-7 – It appears that there was little or no action between the two armies until a giant named Goliath appears. He was big and their best warrior. He was their champion! This guy with all his height, equipment and power stood out in the valley and began to yell a challenge to the Israeli army.
Vss. 8-10 – The giant called for one warrior from Israel to come out and fight him in a “winner take all” match.
Vs. 11 – The response of King Saul and the Israelites was fear and dismay.
Vs. 16 – This intimidation went on for 40 days.
Such was the impact of the GIANT!
Do you have any giants in your life? Is there a habit, a sin, a person, a situation that is bullying you around and taking control of your life? It could be worry, smoking, cursing, gossip, alcohol, bad temper, illicit sex, or a bad influence. There are many giants who might try to dominate you.
It could be that these giants have been harassing your for so long, that you have given up hope of ever being delivered from their influence.
If you have such a giant in your life, you can be sympathetic towards Saul and the men of Israel. They needed help.
They needed deliverance
They needed a champion greater than the giant they faced!
Perhaps today, you need help. You need deliverance. You need a champion greater than the giant that you face.
LET ME TELL YOU FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THE CHAMPION OF ISRAEL WAS NOT DAVID! David was just an instrument in the hands of Israel’s champion. ISRAEL’S CHAMPION WAS THE LORD OF HOSTS! Vs. 45
Your champion against the giants in your life is also the Lord of Hosts!
THE ENEMY IS REAL – Vss. 4-7, 33
Goliath was a real person. Goliath was big (10 feet tall), strong, and dangerous!
Our enemy is real too. His Name is Satan. Isaiah 14:12-15
He caused Eve to fall in the Garden. Genesis 3
He is the Father of lies. John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
He is powerful. Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8
THE STAKES ARE HIGH! Vss. 8-11
Much was at stake when Goliath came out and taunted Israel.
The personal integrity of every soldier was at stake.
The integrity of the nation was at stake.
God’s integrity was at stake. Vs. 26
Much is at stake when giants torment you.
Personal integrity is at stake.
Church integrity is at stake.
God’s integrity is at stake. He is your God. Giving in to a “giant” implies that God is not strong enough to deliver you.
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S! Vss. 20-37
David arrived to see Goliath at work taunting Israel.
Vss. 23-26 – David wanted to know the reward for defeating Goliath. He realized that Goliath had no right to “defy the armies of the living God.”
Satan has no right to defy us who are God’s children. Victory over Satan was won at the cross. Romans 6:10-14, Galatians 2:20
Vss. 32-37 – David appears before Saul and confidently announces that God will give him the victory!
THE VICTORY IS GOD’S! Vss. 38-54
Vs. 45 – David confronted the giant in the name of his God.
Let us confront our giants in the name of the Lord Jesus!
As we trust Him, he will give the strength to defeat any giant. Philippians 4:13
Ultimately, God gave the victory!