#facing giants

Be Strong and Courageous

Facing something that terrifies you and wondering if you have what it takes?

God's command to Joshua wasn't a suggestion - it was a divine decree backed by an unbreakable promise.

Joshua 1:9 declares: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Notice God doesn't say "be strong IF you feel strong." He commands strength because His presence guarantees it.

That new job that intimidates you? Be strong and courageous. That difficult conversation you've been avoiding? Be strong and courageous. That dream that feels impossible? Be strong and courageous.

Courage isn't the absence of fear - it's obedience in the presence of fear.

You don't need to feel brave to be brave. You just need to remember that the same God who was with Joshua when he conquered the Promised Land is with you when you face your giants.

His presence doesn't eliminate the challenge - it guarantees the victory.

Today, step forward with divine courage, knowing God goes before you and stands beside you.

So when a challenge shows up in front of you, what’s your first thought or response? Do you see it as something big and scary? Do you see it in perspective to how big your God is? When a trials shows up do you try and muscle through it or do turn back to God because you know with Him you can consider it pure joy because ‘you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to…

Ignore the Insignificant, Focus on the Giant

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"When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy..”  - 1 Samuel 17:42

GOD chose David to fight the giant Goliath.  GOD did not choose among the soldiers who were trained in battle.  GOD chose His anointed one. 

He was but a youth.  GOD did not choose someone older or an adult to fight the giant.  GOD chose someone who was young.

Why did GOD choose David among the other Israelites? 

GOD looks at the heart.  The other Israelites were trained as soldiers, but their hearts were not willing.  He saw that in David - a heart that is obedient, willing to go where GOD wants him to go, and do what He wants him to do.  He was courageous to fight the giant, and had so much FAITH - GREAT FAITH in the ALMIGHTY!

He had GREAT FAITH that his GOD will deliver them!

In this story, there is also another side of people that GOD wants to show His glory — The Philistines. 

The Israelites are GOD’s chosen people.  They have a BIG GOD.  The Philistines have taunted their GOD, and now GOD wants to send someone to battle with them. GOD is sending someone who is young.  A youth, not fully armed but only carries with him a sling, a stick, and five smooth stones.

Other Philistine soldiers in the field were probably laughing when they saw this young boy approaching or coming up to battle with the greatest warrior they had who was Goliath.

Imagine the ridicule, the taunting, and the laughs they had on their faces.

What was it that GOD wanted to show the Philistines?

GOD could have sent someone great, a mighty warrior from the tribe of Israel.  But He didn’t.  He used someone young and not even a soldier!

GOD did not showcase Saul’s best warriors.  GOD used someone else.

Why?

To humble the Philistines who boasted about their Giant.

To show them that GOD can use someone in His own choosing, not by their looks, not by their skilled training that they have gone through, not by their might and power.

GOD is the GOD of Impossibilities!  And GOD wants to showcase that to the Philistines.

And GOD wanted to show this, too to His own people.  To humble them as well.  And to learn from David’s account.

”Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for GOD sees not as a man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

How then should we regard a person or someone that GOD wants to use for His glory — to do His awesome works in the ministry, in the workplace, in different fields, and in any certain events or challenges?

GOD sees the heart.  People look at the physical attributes and educational background, or even family background.

People see the outward.  GOD sees the innermost part of that person’s heart. GOD doesn’t look at great achievements or successes.  He looks at the willingness of the heart — a heart of servitude, a humble heart, a heart willing to serve and willing to be used by GOD for His glory.