gracetidings:with dr doug mamvura
We thank God for having brought us this far. We have just come out of one of the most challenging years which ushered us a new normal which has now become the normal.
As we get into the New Year, there is still a dark cloud of uncertainty across the globe as we still face Covid-19 challenges, job losses, limited disposable income, among a host of other challenges at a personal, national and international level.
Whatever problem you’re facing today, whether in your finances, in your health, in your marriage, or wherever, I don’t believe your problem is bigger than what David faced. He had to deal with a real, live giant. And the qualities God instilled in David that enabled him to succeed will work for you too. You have probably heard the story of David defeating Goliath, but have you applied these same principles to your giant? One of the foundational truths that enabled David to face this giant was that he viewed the whole situation through God’s covenant: What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Samuel 17:26).
David’s reference to Goliath being uncircumcised was pointing out that Goliath didn’t have any covenant rights like he did. In fact, every Israelite soldier was one of God’s covenant people, but they didn’t act like it. Likewise, all true believers have covenant rights to health, prosperity, joy, peace, etc., but not all look at their circumstances through the covenant. This is very critical even as we make our plans for 2021. We should know our identity in Christ and the benefits of the finished work of Christ.
These Israelite soldiers were looking at Goliath and not at God’s promises. The Lord had promised them that no man would be able to stand before them (Deuteronomy 11:25). Goliath was a man. He was a big man but a man nonetheless. While others only saw the giant, David kept his attention on the promises of God. We should also focus on God’s promises not Covid-19 or economic challenges we may be facing.
When David voiced his faith in the covenant of God despite the circumstances, he began to be criticized by his brother and others as we see in (1 Samuel 17:28-30).
David could have tried to justify himself to his oldest brother. It was at his father’s command that he had left the sheep and come to bring gifts to his brothers. But even if David had won the argument, he would have lost his opportunity to defeat Goliath. It was only after he turned from his brother and repeated his statements of faith that someone heard what he said and told Saul, Israel’s king.
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You might face opposition, even from family members, when you start communicating what God has put in your heart, but you need to take this stance like David did, saying, “Is there not a cause?” Ask yourself, “Is the thing I want victory over worth fighting for?” If it is, then you have a cause greater than what others think.
Even the king tried to talk David out of what was in his heart: He spoke of David’s inexperience and size compared to Goliath’s.
However, David began to rehearse to King Saul the victories the Lord had given him. Had David not been faithful with the few sheep the Lord had given him to keep, he never would have been able to stand up to Goliath. Many want to win against the giants when the grandstands are full, but few will be faithful in the little things God gives them when no one is watching. If we aren’t faithful in that which is least, we won’t be given more (Luke 16:10-12).
David’s faith and confidence in the Lord convinced King Saul to let him represent Israel and go fight Goliath. This was a miracle in itself. If David lost, all the Israelites would become slaves to the Philistines. I think Saul recognized the anointing of God upon David. Saul had once operated under that anointing, and knew how powerful it was. So, he let David go, but he tried to put his armor on him (1 Samuel 17:38-39).
This happens all the time. People will tell you your faith in God won’t overcome your giants. But if you persist, then they will try to give you their advice on how to fight the battle. That’s what Saul did. He wanted to give David his armor. But why should David put his faith in Saul’s armor? It hadn’t done anything for Saul. Saul was fearful of Goliath just like all the rest. David was wise to stick with what had already been proven in his life.
Next, David had to endure the mockery of his enemy, Goliath. Listen to what the giant said:
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. [43] And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. [44] And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (1 Samuel 17:42-44).
Don’t think that just because you’re armed with what God has given you that the giants in your life will be intimidated by you. But you have got to be bold and stand strong in the face of the enemy, like David did.
David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:48b)
The Spirit of the Lord was on David; he wasn’t afraid! He rushed at this giant. You know, your attitude toward your giants will be very telling when it’s time to face them. If you really believe the promises of God, you won’t run from a fight. Instead you will run to it. Do you really believe what God said or not?
Are you all talk? The giants are going to test what God has put in you.
Of course, we all know the story. David used his sling and a stone to bring the giant down.
But David didn’t stop there:
But there was no sword in the hand of David. [51a] Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith.(1 Samuel 17:50 -51).
You’ve got to pursue your enemies until they can’t come back! If you read the whole story, the Philistines didn’t flee when Goliath first went down. They were at a far distance and didn’t know exactly what had happened. Goliath could have tripped, or maybe he was just wounded and would get back up and win yet. But when David cut off his head and held it up, all doubt was removed, and the enemy fled.
We sometimes just fight our enemies until they go over the hill. They are left to fight us another day. We only fight sickness until it gets to where it’s not too bad, we can live with the rest. Jesus came so that we may have life in abundance (John 10:10).
David pursued his enemies until they were destroyed. They could never come back to fight him. First Samuel 30:10-18 is a good example of this, where David pursued the Amalekites until he had recovered all he had lost.
People don’t like to face giants, but David wouldn’t have been a hero if he had slain a midget. The giants in your life are actually great opportunities for God to show Himself strong on your behalf. David’s victory over Goliath catapulted him into his destiny. Likewise, whatever giant you are facing can become the greatest victory in your life as you stand on God’s Word and overcome it.
Learn to face your giants this year. Happy New Year!
l Dr Doug Mamvura is a graduate of Charis Bible School. Feedback: [email protected] or Twitter @dougmamvura
