“I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.” Lk 10:19 NLT
When he went out to fight Goliath, David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord…and he will give you to us!” (1Sa 17:45, 47 NLT). Nobody in King Saul’s army seemed to have factored God into the equation, but David talked about nothing else. He saw what they didn’t, and refused to be intimidated by what they did.
He believed that the God he served was bigger than the giant he faced. Do you believe that too? Do you see God as bigger than your problem? If you’re in a situation where there appears to be no way out, instead of wasting time and energy dwelling on your own weaknesses and shortcomings, stand on God’s Word and start talking about His power.
You won’t win if you fight in your own strength, so don’t try it! David said, “This is the Lord’s battle” (v. 47 NLT). And God has never lost a battle! So confront your giant in the name of the Lord and declare: “Giant of divorce, you aren’t entering my home; depression, you won’t conquer me; alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity, lust, you’re coming down!”
The Bible says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him” (Isa 59:19 NKJV). There are three things Satan can’t withstand: God’s Word, Christ’s blood, and the name of Jesus. When you use those things you’ll bring him down every time—just like David toppled Goliath!*
“Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.” 1Sa 17:46 NLT
Goliath’s ancestors were Israel’s long-standing enemies. And when Joshua entered the Promised Land, he annihilated them all—except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. Why is that important to note? Because if you don’t kill the enemy and cut off his head, he’ll rise to fight you again.
Maybe you’re wrestling with issues your parents and grandparents grappled with; things like addiction, marriage problems, anger, worry and depression. David put “five…stones from a stream…into his shepherd’s bag” (v. 40 NLT) because he didn’t know how many he’d need to do the job.
And there are certain “stones” you need to take with you to conquer the giants in your life. (1) Be relentless. It may take more than a day, a month, or even a year to see results. But with God’s help you’ll win if you persevere. (2) Get God involved. God’s priority is His reputation, and David’s objective was to defend it by declaring, “There is a God in Israel” (v. 46 NLT). (3) Keep praying and believing God for victory.
“Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare” (Eph 6:18 MSG). Rehearsing your hurts won’t heal them and cataloguing your problems won’t solve them. But prayer will. (4) Recall your earlier victories. David announced, “God, who delivered me from the lion and bear, will deliver me from this Philistine” (1Sa 17:37 MSG).
When you’re afraid of the future, call to mind God’s past faithfulness: “Remember the wonders he performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given” (1Ch 16:12 NLT). With God’s help you can conquer the giants in your life!*
