We all have giants in our lives—those stubborn struggles, temptations, and burdens that seem to mock and taunt us. What began as something small and innocuous grows over time into an immovable force weighing us down. Our giants come in many forms—fear, rejection, comfort, anger, addiction, and more.
Just as the Philistine giant Goliath paralyzed the Israelite armies with his taunts in 1 Samuel 17, our personal giants can leave us frozen, hopeless, and struggling to find victory. We desperately need someone to slay these giants and break the paralysis they bring.
When young David arrived at the valley of Elah, he was appalled that this pagan mocked the armies of the living God. David boldly volunteered to fight Goliath, recounting how he had killed lions and bears that threatened his father’s flock. His confidence rested not in his skills with a slingshot, but in the power of the Lord who had delivered him before.
As the battle began, Goliath mocked David’s youthful appearance. But David responded, “You come against me with sword and spear...but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty...for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). One well-aimed stone was all it took for David to topple the giant through God's strength.
This incredible story showcases more than just David's bravery and faith—it's a powerful picture of how Jesus is the true Giant-Slayer who defeated the greatest enemy of all on our behalf (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Colossians 2:15). The giants we face today, from shame to mental illness to generational brokenness, have already been dealt a death-blow through Christ's victory on the cross.
Like the Israelite armies, however, we can still live frozen in fear of our giants rather than walking in freedom. The enemy may be defeated, but he still tries to wriggle and lash out with his deadly venom. Our troubles persist in this not-yet-redeemed world, leaving us feeling oppressed at times.
But Jesus didn't just slay our giants for freedom’s sake—He did it to bring glory to God. As David recognized, the true victor was the Lord who gave him power. Our fight against personal giants is never just about self-empowerment, but about allowing God to display His power, might, and deliverance in our lives for His glory.
To experience this freedom and see God glorified, we must seek prayer for divine strength, guidance, and perspective. We need a life-giving Christian community to encourage us and help identify the giants weighing us down. And we must shift our focus from our own meager resources to the trustworthiness of the God who has already secured the victory.
What giants are looming in your life, trying to steal your worship and joy? Invite the Giant-Slayer, Jesus, to combat those foes, not just for your freedom, but for the glory of God to be revealed. Renewed freedom is found not in trying harder, but in surrendering to the One who has already won the battle through His cross and resurrection power.