What lessons can we learn from David's warriors about facing giants today? The scene: Another giant in Gath “In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. And he too was descended from Rapha.” (1 Chronicles 20:6) Seeing our own giants today • Giants show up repeatedly; this is the third time Gath sends one (see 1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 21:20-22). • They look abnormal and intimidating—extra fingers and toes underscore “more than enough” to crush us. • They taunt God’s people (v. 7); hostility toward faith is part of the package. • Their lineage (“descended from Rapha”) reminds us evil often feels entrenched, ancient, and unbeatable. How David’s warriors faced theirs • They remembered God’s track record. Every earlier giant had fallen, so this one would too (1 Samuel 17:37). • They stayed in the fight. Jonathan, Shimei’s son, stepped up when it was his turn (1 Chronicles 20:7). • They fought under David’s banner—loyalty to their king unified them (2 Samuel 21:22). • They used the weapons they already mastered; Scripture lists no exotic gear, just practiced skill (cf. 1 Samuel 17:40). • They attacked in God’s name, not their own strength: “I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45). Equipping ourselves for modern battles • Know your covenant identity. Giants fall before people who know they belong to the LORD (Romans 8:31). • Put on spiritual armor daily (Ephesians 6:10-18). Helmets and breastplates matter more than human size. • Stay close to Christ’s body. David’s men never fought alone; neither should believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Speak the truth out loud. Verbal faith confronts visible fear (2 Corinthians 4:13). • Finish the job. Jonathan didn’t wound the giant—he killed him. Persistence matters (Galatians 6:9). Jesus, the greater David • He has already crushed the ultimate giant—sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). • Our struggles are mop-up operations under His authority (Matthew 28:18). • Because He lives in us, every battlefront is really His (Galatians 2:20). Putting it into practice 1. Identify the “giant” confronting you—addiction, fear, intimidation, cultural pressure. 2. Recall past victories God gave you; testify to them. 3. Stand in Christ’s finished work, not your own resolve. 4. Take up Scripture, prayer, and fellowship as proven weapons. 5. Advance in confidence: if David’s youngest soldiers felled literal giants, Christ’s people can topple today’s towering threats. |
    |