When you’re facing a big trial, you need to know that God is bigger.
Of course the classic example of this is the story of David and Goliath. The Israelites are facing a BIG trial- a ferocious nine foot giant. For forty days they quake and tremble, overwhelmed by the size of the challenge, as Goliath struts in front of them, mocking them and taunting them.
Then David arrives: just a boy, too young to fight, with no experience of battle. But he sees what the rest of the Israelites fail to realise: no matter how big the challenge they face, God is bigger.
With just a sling and stone, David bravely goes out, in God’s strength, to take on Goliath, and with a single shot he wins the battle!
It’s a remarkable story of the underdog triumphing against all the odds, and David’s confidence in God is impressive, but it is even more remarkable when you consider that he had every reason to feel small and insignificant.
A while before this, the prophet Samuel had come to visit David’s family, having been instructed by God that one of them was to be the next king. (1 Samuel 16) Jesse lines up his seven older sons to meet Samuel, but David isn’t even invited to the party. He is left out in the field, looking after the sheep, and is only hastily summoned as an afterthought, following an awkward moment when Samuel has to tell Jesse that none of the sons who are present have been chosen. Eventually David is sent for and he is anointed as the future king.
You’d think his brothers would have respected him more after that, but he certainly doesn’t receive much of a welcome when he arrives at the scene of the battle with the Philistines. I mean, he was bringing them food- you’d think they’d be grateful! Instead Eliab, the oldest brother is dismissive of David: “What are you doing around here anyway?… What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of. I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” (1 Samuel 17:28 NLT)
Many people would have been put off by this but, undeterred, David goes to King Saul and volunteers at once to fight Goliath, only to receive yet another discouraging response: “Don’t be ridiculous… 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 17:33 NLT)
Still David persists, and finally he is allowed to face Goliath. Unsurprisingly, Goliath doesn’t see him as much of a threat. He sneers in contempt and curses David by the names of his gods, certain that David doesn’t stand a chance, but David steps out in total confidence- not in himself, but in who God is. “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!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT)
David triumphed- not only over Goliath, but over all the negative words spoken to him, over the way he was dismissed and disregarded even by his own family, over the voices that told him he couldn’t do it, that he was too small- all because he realised that it wasn’t about how big he was, and it wasn’t about what other people thought of him. It was about God- and he was bigger than any of that.
David’s faith is a challenge to me. Too often, from my perspective, the challenges look too big, I feel too small, and if people’s responses are negative it can really put me off. But David lifted his eyes from these things and looked to God- remembering his help and provision in the past, trusting in God’s saving power and embracing the truth that NOTHING is impossible with God.
So when we feel small, let’s remember that it’s not about us. It doesn’t matter if we feel weak or insignificant, or if that is how others view us. God says, “My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
And no matter what challenges we face, his power is infinitely bigger!
This post is an edited version of an older post, but it will probably be new to you as very few people read my blog back then! As I begin my year of “focus” I thought it was a good reminder of the power there is when we choose to focus on God, rather than on the challenges we face or the other voices around us.
Giants Fall is on my playlist! It helps me remember all the things you talk about here, and I need the reminder. Like you, David’s faith is a challenge to me. That’s one of the reasons I chose surrender as my one word for 2018.
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It’s a great song and I definitely need the reminder too!
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Hi Lesley! I really like this song, thank you for putting it up on your blog today. Giants fall! To remember too that it’s not all about us, as you pointed out. God’s view is so much greater and grander than mine, it’s not useful to stay stuck gazing at my own horizon. The Lord will move me to the place I need to be…watch those Giants fall!
Blessings and Grace on your New Year,
Ceil
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Happy New Year, Ceil! I’m glad you like the song. Yes, it makes such a difference when we can take our eyes off the challenges and focus on God, but it’s not always easy to do!
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Such a powerful lesson here, Lesley. I’ve been feeling quite small lately. Thanks for the reminder that it’s truly not about us and He is so so big :). Great song choice too! It put a smile on my face today.
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Thanks, Candace! I’m glad it encouraged you today!
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The story of David and Goliath is such an incredible story. Oh how often God used the ordinary for extraordinary callings. And you can’t go wrong with Francesca!
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Yes, there are so many great lessons from that story!
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David’s confidence in God inspires me again and again. Great post, Lesley!
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Thanks, Sarah! Yes, David’s story is definitely one I keep coming back to!
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I love this, Lesley! It’s something I need to remember every single moment. Yes, God is so much bigger than any challenge. And those negative words we so easily internalize! I haven’t heard that song in a while. I really should listen to it more often. Thank you for encouraging my heart! Love and hugs to you!
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Thanks, Trudy! I’m glad it encouraged you and that you were reminded of the song. Love and hugs to you!
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Lesley, what a great post! You’re so right. When we stop looking at ourselves and walk in confidence that God is with us, that He’s “got this,” whatever it is, we can accomplish amazing things. And it’s all because of God. I’m like you. I need to take my eyes and ears off of what people think they see in me (or don’t) and what they say. I need to remember that with God, anything is possible. With God, I can do whatever He sets before me.
Thanks for this reminder, friend. And for the song. I’m adding it to my playlist now. 🙂
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Thanks, Jeanne! Yes, so important to keep our eyes on God’s power and to listen to what he says about us instead of letting others distract us. I’m glad you liked the song!
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Amen, Lesley! I love how David was undeterred, how he persisted despite all the naysayers. What a great example of what can happen when we put our confidence in God alone. 🙂
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Yes, I want to follow David’s example more and focus on God, not on what others say! It’s an ongoing challenge!
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We can’t go wrong when we focus on God but somehow I am led astray too often. There is so much promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9. I used that verse in my post today too.
I am going to be challenged a lot this year to let go and become small so God can take control. I imagine God is going to wreck me in a good way this year with my one word-surrender.
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Surrender and letting go of control to God is definitely not easy. My year with surrender as my word of the year certainly had huge challenges but looking back I’m grateful for how God used it. Praying for you too that while it may be challenging you will see God working in you.
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I have to remind myself that I would rather have God’s much greater power than my own. David sure did have big faith. He wasn’t perfect, but his trust in God covered that fact!
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Yes, I can so easily fall into looking to my own power even though I know God’s is so much greater! David is a great example of someone who wasn’t perfect but had great faith.
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Thank you for the reminder about how to slay giants in my life, Lesley! I have some looming work deadlines that I need to focus on, but they just seem so..giant..at times.
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I need the reminder too, Anita. It is so easy for the tasks and challenges we’re facing to seem so big and to forget that they’re nothing compared to God’s great power!
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Five of the most encouraging words ever written: Nothing is impossible with God. How thankful I am for that and for the reminder you’ve shared today.
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Yes, this is such an encouraging truth!
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For David to respond that way when bringing the food and getting hated on must mean he had his mind on God (in the right place) beforehand. According to scripture he dwelt and basked in God’s presence out there with sheep, so he really was coming from this place of being filled up. It’s wild!
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Yes, I think a lot of David’s strength came from all that time out there with just God and the sheep!
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Undeterred. Persistent. God-confident. Those are some powerful “giant-slaying” words! I’m going to carry them with me today! Thanks for this powerhouse of a post this morning. Just what I need to get me motivated!
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Thanks, Liz! I’m glad it encouraged you today!
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This was a great post to recycle, and I missed it the first time through, so thanks for sharing it. And that’s a song I’m not familiar with, so thanks for that too. You often bless me with new music!
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Thanks, Michele! I’m always glad to introduce people to new music!
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Lesley love this and I’ve never really listened to the words of this song until this morning.. Love the message you gave us here. WOW! You ministered to me!
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Thanks, Debbie! So glad it blessed you today!
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This, a needed reminder not to dare imagine God at our size, our level, our abilities. He who created the world has every power at His fingertips to bring about huge changes, answers, hopes … far beyond what we’re asking or imagining.
I love this reminder, Lesley. And needed to hear it once again this week.
Bless you, girl!
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Thanks, Linda! I definitely needed the reminder myself. I’m glad it blessed you too!
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Yes! I love that it’s about how big GOD is, not how big (or small) we are! Thanks for this encouragement to put our faith in him, not ourselves.
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Thanks, Lisa! It takes a lot of pressure off when we remember that it depends on God’s power, not our own.
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How big is my God? Big enough to handle whatever is in front of me … decisions, challenges, a mile-long to-do list …. My God is THAT big!
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He is- we just need to keep hold of that truth!
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