Song: “Giants Will Fall” by Saliyah Monroe

Good morning, and welcome to Starting Our Day Together.

As we begin this new day, I want to spend a few minutes talking about something all of us will face at one time or another.

Giants.

Not the kind of giant that David faced on the battlefield that day, but the giants that show up in our lives.

A giant can be a problem that seems too big to solve. 

It can be a situation that has gone on so long that you wonder whether it will ever change. 

It can be fear. 

It can be disappointment. 

It can be opposition. 

It can be something standing between you and what you believe God has called you to do.

And sometimes the giant is so big that other people look at your situation and think, There is no way you’re going to overcome that.

That’s where David found himself in 1 Samuel 17.

Everybody Saw the Giant

When David arrived at the Israelite camp, Goliath had already intimidated an entire army.

The Bible tells us:

“When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” – 1 Samuel 17:11, ESV

Everybody could see how big Goliath was.

Everybody could hear his threats.

Everybody understood the danger.

But David saw something everybody else seemed to have forgotten.

David saw God.

The soldiers were measuring Goliath against themselves.

David was measuring Goliath against God.

And that changes everything.

Sometimes the reason our giants become so overwhelming is because we spend too much time looking at the size of the giant and not enough time remembering the greatness of our God.

Remember What God Has Already Done

When Saul told David that he couldn’t possibly fight Goliath, David remembered what God had already brought him through.

David told Saul about the lion and the bear. 

He remembered those moments when God had delivered him before.

Then David said:

“The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” –  1 Samuel 17:37, ESV

David’s confidence wasn’t really in David.

His confidence was in God.

That’s important as you begin your day.

Before you start worrying about what you’re facing today, take a moment and remember what God has already brought you through.

You have faced some things before that you didn’t know how you were going to survive.

You have had some nights when you didn’t know what the morning would bring.

You have had some doors close.

You have experienced some disappointments.

You have walked through some valleys.

And yet, here you are.

The God who brought you through yesterday has not abandoned you today.

You Can’t Fight Every Battle Wearing Somebody Else’s Armor

Saul tried to dress David in his armor.

It made sense. 

If David was going into battle, surely he needed the king’s armor.

But David couldn’t fight in Saul’s armor.

David said: “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” – 1 Samuel 17:39, ESV

Then David took them off.

There’s a lesson in that.

Sometimes we get into trouble trying to face our giants the way somebody else faced theirs.

But God may not use in your life what He used in somebody else’s life.

David didn’t need Saul’s armor.

He needed what God had already taught him to use.

A staff.

A sling.

Five smooth stones.

And faith in God.

Don’t underestimate what God has already placed in your hands.

You may think you don’t have enough.

You may think somebody else is better equipped.

You may think you need more resources, more influence, more education, more money, or more connections.

But sometimes God takes what looks insignificant in our hands and demonstrates what it can become when it is surrendered to Him.

Speak to Your Giant

Goliath talked to David.

But David talked back.

David said:

“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.” – 1 Samuel 17:45, ESV

I love that.

David didn’t pretend the sword wasn’t there.

He didn’t pretend the spear wasn’t real.

Faith doesn’t mean denying reality.

Faith means recognizing that your reality does not limit God’s ability.

David knew Goliath was bigger than he was.

He knew Goliath was stronger than he was.

But David also knew that Goliath wasn’t bigger than God.

And somebody needs to carry that thought into this day:

Your giant may be bigger than you, but your giant is not bigger than your God.

Sometimes You Have to Run Toward the Giant

But here is the part of the story I especially want us to remember this morning.

When the moment finally came, David didn’t back away.

He didn’t hesitate.

He didn’t wait for somebody else to volunteer.

The Bible says:

“When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:48, ESV

David ran toward him.

Think about that.

Everybody else had been running from Goliath.

David ran toward Goliath.

There comes a point when you’ve prayed about something, prepared for something, trusted God about something—and now you’ve got to move.

There are some giants that aren’t going to disappear simply because you wish they would.

There are some situations you’re going to have to confront.

There are some decisions you’re going to have to make.

There are some conversations you’re going to have to have.

There are some doors you’re going to have to knock on.

There are some things you’ve been postponing because they intimidate you.

Maybe today is the day to stop backing away.

Maybe today is the day to run toward the battle line.

Throw the Stone

David reached into his bag.

He took out a stone.

He put it in his sling.

And he threw it.

Notice something simple but important:

David had to release the stone.

He could have believed in God all day long, but eventually he had to act on what he believed.

Sometimes we pray for God to move while God is waiting for us to move.

Maybe your “stone” today is making the telephone call.

Maybe your stone is submitting the application.

Maybe your stone is apologizing.

Maybe your stone is finally saying no.

Maybe your stone is finally saying yes.

Maybe your stone is taking the first step toward something you’ve been afraid to do.

Whatever it is, at some point, you have to throw the stone.

But remember: David didn’t believe the power was in the stone.

He believed the victory belonged to God.

David declared: “For the battle is the LORD’s.” – 1 Samuel 17:47, ESV

That’s the message I want you to carry with you today.

What Giant Are You Facing?

Before we go our separate ways this morning, I want you to think about one question:

What is the giant standing in front of you today?

Name it.

Don’t pretend it isn’t there.

Don’t minimize it.

But don’t magnify it above God either.

Look at that giant and remember: God is bigger.

Remember the lions and bears God has already brought you through.

Don’t try to wear somebody else’s armor.

Use what God has placed in your hands.

And when God tells you it’s time to move—

Run toward the battle line.

Pick up your stone.

Put it in the sling.

And throw it.

Not because you are stronger than the giant.

Not because you have everything figured out.

Not because you’re guaranteed that everything will happen exactly the way you want it to happen.

But because the battle belongs to the Lord.

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for another day.

Thank You for allowing us to wake up this morning and for giving us another opportunity to walk with You.

Lord, some of us are facing giants today. Some of those giants have frightened us. Some have intimidated us. Some have caused us to wonder whether we have what it takes to keep going.

Remind us that our confidence is not ultimately in ourselves. Our confidence is in You.

Help us remember the battles You have already brought us through. Help us refuse to be paralyzed by fear. Give us wisdom to know when to wait, courage to know when to move, and faith to trust You with the outcome.

And when the moment comes to face what is standing before us, give us the courage of David—not to run away from the battle, but to move forward trusting You.

Help us use what You have placed in our hands.

Help us throw the stone.

And above everything else, help us remember:

The battle belongs to You.

We place this day, our challenges, our families, our responsibilities, and our lives into Your hands.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As you begin your day, remember this:

Don’t spend your whole day telling God how big your giant is. Remind your giant how big your God is.

Stand up.

Trust God.

And when it’s time to move, run toward the battle line.

May God bless you and keep you throughout this day.

And I’ll see you next time as we continue Starting Our Day Together.