1. There is no escape to the trials we face. The local news serves as a reminder that challenges are unavoidable. Families become homeless after fires claim their houses. Community fundraisers are hosted to assist those struggling to pay medical bills for cancer treatments. Company layoffs occur leaving many without money needed to pay the mortgage. Fortunately, we serve a God that is bigger then any challenge we may be facing. The Bible tells of how God can create miracles using ordinary people.

           The Israelites found themselves at war with the Philistines. Goliath was a powerful giant fighting for the Philistine army. Goliath reached over nine feet tall and mocked the Israelites every day. Terror consumed the Israelites. David volunteered to fight Goliath after seeing how intimidated the Israelites appeared. David was not known as a powerful man. David was a young teenager without the experience to fight in battles. King Saul remained doubtful that David could conquer Goliath. After much persuasion, King Saul agreed to let David challenge Goliath.

            Goliath wore a full armor suit. David came to battle without armor. The only weapons David carried were stones and a slingshot. Goliath approached David throwing insults and threats. David did not give into fear. David claimed, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air..and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel…it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands”(1 Samuel 17:45-47 NIV).

             Goliath began going near David to kill him. As Goliath drew closer to David, he reached for his stones. David slung a stone at Goliath’s head. The stone landed through a hole in the giant’s armor. Goliath fell to the ground. After Goliath fell, David took Goliath’s sword and beheaded him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away terrified. The Israelites chased the army killing them and seizing their camps.

            God has the power to intervene in our lives killing our giants. Have faith and invite Christ into your circumstances. The Bible tells us that Christ can help us to achieve the impossible. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13 NIV). An elderly man found himself battling leukemia for the second time. His symptoms came back and all of the medical tests confirmed he had cancer. At his old age, he chose not to accept the traditional treatment. The man chose to receive treatments to enhance the quality of his precious time on earth, as opposed to ending the cancer. The doctors told him his chance of survival wasn’t promising. The elderly man didn’t see the point of suffering through painful treatments, when chances are he would still face death. The doctors were astonished when he came in for his check up. The man appeared healthy and filled with energy. The blood cell count was normal. The man replied it was his faith and the prayers of his loved ones that made him well.  

                When facing trials God should be our first resource. No friend, family member, or service has the authority of Almighty God. Why go to other sources, when you can go directly to the creator of the universe? In this world you will be faced with hardships. Have no fear because you won’t be enduring those hardships alone. The battle belongs to the Lord, who will lead you to great victories.

                                                     References

    Tyndale House Publishers (2005). Life application study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:

Leave a Reply