In what ways can you face your "Goliaths" with David's boldness? Setting the Scene “Then 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 of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’ ” (1 Samuel 17:45) David’s Source of Boldness • God’s reputation, not his own, was on the line. • He trusted God’s past faithfulness: “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.” (1 Samuel 17:37) • He relied on God’s power, not human armor (17:38-40). • He spoke faith before the victory: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand” (17:46). Translating Boldness into Today’s Battlefields • Name the giant honestly—fear, addiction, debt, opposition. • See the conflict as God-centered: the giant ultimately defies God’s purposes in your life. • Remember previous deliverances; rehearse them out loud. • Refuse ill-fitting “armor” of worldly solutions that contradict Scripture. • Declare truth aloud, anchoring every statement in God’s character. Practical Steps to Sling Your Stones 1. Identify five “smooth stones”: • A specific promise (Isaiah 41:10). • A past testimony. • A biblical example (Hebrews 11:32-34). • A worship song or psalm (Psalm 27:1-3). • A trusted believer for accountability (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). 2. Run toward the challenge, not away (1 Samuel 17:48). Act promptly on what God already made clear. 3. Aim at the giant’s defining lie with precise Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). 4. Expect God to finish what He starts—David cut off Goliath’s head after the stone landed (17:51). Tie up loose ends so the giant cannot rise again. 5. Give God public credit; David carried Goliath’s head to Jerusalem as a testimony (17:54). Encouraging Scripture for Modern Giants • Romans 8:31—“If God is for us, who can be against us?” • 2 Chronicles 20:15—“The battle is not yours, but God’s.” • Ephesians 6:10—“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” • Psalm 118:6—“The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid.” Face every Goliath with confidence that the same living God who empowered David stands ready to vindicate His name through you today. |
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