Tackle your giant head-on

Chuck Swindoll said, “Goliath reminds me of the cross-eyed discus thrower. He didn’t set any records…but he sure kept the crowd awake! Every day Goliath paraded along the slopes of the Valley of Elah issuing threats…The only response from the Israelite troops was the sound of knees knocking and teeth chattering! The giant’s strategy of fear and intimidation worked…until David introduced him to the Lord of Hosts, and ‘with a sling and a stone…struck the Philistine and killed him’ (v. 50 NKJV). To this day, two timeless truths remain. (1) You won’t win the battle by employing the enemy’s technique. When you fight with the world’s weapons, you become like the world. The Bible says, ‘There was no sword in David’s hand’ (v. 50 NAS); his most powerful weapon – the thing that made him unique and gave him the victory – was his inner shield of faith. It kept him free from fear, cleared his vision…and gave him composure amidst chaos. (2) Slaying giants takes skill and discipline. Wielding the sling and stone of the Spirit is much more delicate than swinging the club of the flesh. Paul said, ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places’ (Ephesians 6:12). Note: wrestling isn’t a team sport. Goliath said, ‘Choose one man to come down…and fight me!’ (1 Samuel 17:8 NLT). For the duration of the battle, you’re the enemy’s sole target. If you’re facing your own personal giant, be like David: turn him over to God, load up your sling…and let God win the victory for you.”