Goliath Must Fall: Winning The Battle Against Your Giants

7 Days

It’s likely you have a giant in your life that is holding you captive, intimidating you, and
stealing your joy. Adversaries like fear, rejection, comfort, anger, and addiction stake a
claim and gain a foothold in your heart. In this seven-day reading plan, Louie Giglio
examines the David and Goliath story to show how those giants can fall: by focusing on
the size of our God, not the height of your giants, and by walking in the victory Jesus
has already won.
ANGER, FEAR, REJECTION, COMFORT, ADDICTION
Day 1 of 7 • This day’s reading
 1 Peter 5:8-9

DEAD BUT STILL DEADLY

The epic tale of David and Goliath is one of the most well known stories in the Bible. On one
side of the Valley of Elah stands the Philistine army, with their nine-foot-tall champion named
Goliath. On the other side of valley stands the Israelite army, cowering in fear under the
leadership of their king named Saul. For forty days Goliath has been taunting the Israelites and
holding them in the grip of fear. Day after day he has been challenging them to send out one
soldier to face him man to man. But so far, nobody has volunteered.

Perhaps you can relate to the plight of the Israelites. Some kind of giant is standing before you,
taunting you, harassing you, and insulting you. Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s anger. Maybe it’s a
feeling of rejection. Maybe it’s the sneaky but all-too-familiar giant of comfort that compels you
to live for something lesser. It might even be an addiction.

Whatever this giant is in your life, day after day it has been robbing you of power. You’ve tried
to stop the taunts, but you feel immobilized. Held back. Paralyzed from moving forward.
Ultimately, you know you’re not living the fullness and freedom of life that God intends for you.

The good news is that God has made a way for these giants to fall. It starts with believing that
even though the giant you’re battling might be big, it’s not bigger than Jesus. In fact, He has
already defeated the giants in your life. When He came to this earth, He endured hell for you on
the cross and rose from the grave so you could shake off the prospect of a doomed life. He came
to set you free from the giants who rise up against you and hold you paralyzed in fear.

Jesus has already overcome the enemy. However, as we read in 1 Peter 5:8, the devil still
“prowls around . . . looking for someone to devour.” In many ways, he is like a snake with its
head cut off. When you kill a snake, you have to be sure to bury its head, because even after
death the serpent holds a lethal dose of venom in its fangs. If you step on a dead snake’s head,
you can still get poisoned. In the same way, even though Jesus broke the power of satan at the
cross, he can still inject his deadly poison into our lives. He is dead but still deadly.
The goal then, as we will discuss in this study, is not to step on the snake’s head. In practical
terms, this means resisting the devil (see James 4:7), equipping the defenses Jesus has provided
(see Ephesians 6:10–18), and leaning into his sufficiency (see Proverbs 3:5). It means
remembering that he is your David in the story—and you can never bring down giants through
your own courage, willpower, or efforts. It’s always Jesus who brings the giant down.

If you truly want to see victory over the giants in your life, you need to understand your
dependency on the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Victory is all about trusting in Christ and not
about trying to succeed. To take the first step against your dead-but-still-deadly enemy, you’ve
got to make this paradigm shift in your mind. Christ is the only force that brings change.

Respond

How do you respond to the notion that Jesus, not you, is the David who has defeated the giant in
your life? What are the implications of this for the way you live your life?

Jesus came to earth to crush the power of sin and death, and he has already overcome the enemy.
What difference does this make as to how you view the giant in your life?

What are some ways you go about drawing close to Jesus so that you won’t step on the
venomous head of your defeated enemy?

Day 7 of 7 • This day’s reading

 Psalm 23:1
 Psalm 23:4-5

FORWARD TO VICTORY
At the end of the story of David and Goliath, we read, “So David
triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a
sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him” (1
Samuel 17:50). In a matter of hours, a shepherd boy armed only
with a sling and his faith in God took down a fearsome giant that
had been taunting the Israelites for forty days. Your Shepherd,
Jesus, will do the same in your life if you allow him (see John
10:11).

In Psalm 23:5, David states of the Lord, “You prepare a table before
me in the presence of my enemies.” Jesus, your Savior, promises to
lead you, guide you, and protect you . . . not in the absence of your
foes, but in the very presence of your enemies. As the pressures, the
darkness, and the struggles of your giants close in around you, your
Shepherd spreads a feast of provision right there in the midst of the
battle. He gives you everything you need to not only survive but
actually thrive as you navigate the path to freedom.

The Bible states that Jesus is not only your Good Shepherd but also
the Lion of Judah (see Revelation 5:5). His roar rules the nations.
His voice shatters the enemy. But for a short while, Satan has been
allowed to prowl and look for cracks through which he can insert
himself into your mind. If you don’t stop him, then he will be the
one sitting at the table. And if he’s at your table, then he will work
to erode your confidence in God. He will try to tell you that you are
all alone in the fight and that you have no chance of seeing your
giants fall.

At such times you need to agree with David, who—in spite of

witnessing plenty of adversity in his life—could state with
confidence, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will
fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). David knew God
had everything under control. He recognized during the dark times
that God was on his side, walking through the valley with him. You
can have that same trust, but only if you refuse to allow the enemy a
seat at the table.

This is because if the enemy is at your table, he will try to convince

you that you will not make it. He will work to spin your head around
and remind you that you’re surrounded and everyone is out to get
you. He will tempt you with thoughts that there’s something better
at another table and that God is holding out on you. You have to
choose instead to believe that your Shepherd promised to lead you
through the valley, that he is always with you, that he knows what is
best for you, and that you are his beloved child.

So today, take a seat at God’s great table. Sit down, be still, and just
enjoy the presence of your heavenly Father. Go to him whenever
you are weary and heavy-laden, for he has promised to give you rest
(see Matthew 11:28). Focus less on the enemies who are
surrounding you and more on the fact that he is there with you.
Move forward into the victory that he has for you—and watch as
one by one all the giants in your life fall.

Respond

What barriers keep you from moving forward into victory? How do
you look at Jesus’ place in your battles?

How has Satan attempted to work his way into your heart and your
thinking? How does this affect your view of your circumstances?

How has Jesus provided for you during difficult struggles? How can
keeping your focus on Jesus help you overcome the giants
surrounding you?

But are you?

If you’re not, you’ll end up settling for the things that are LESS than your fears….And

you’ll be enslaved by your fears no matter what situation you’re in or what decision

you need to make. Look at things logically, look at the facts, get out of your head and

take action already!

3 Lessons from David’s Fight with
Goliath
By Eric B. Murdock
Church Magazines

We all have “Goliaths” to face. We can defeat them with the Lord’s help.

Illustrations by Alex Nabaum

The Israelites were in trouble. Big trouble.
The armies of the Philistines had gathered to battle the Israelites. One morning, a giant
warrior named Goliath came forward to taunt the Israelites. He challenged them to
fight him. When the Israelites heard Goliath’s shouts, they “were dismayed, and
greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).
No wonder—Goliath was huge! The Bible says that he was almost 10 feet (3 m) tall.
He also wore a large brass helmet and heavy armor. He had an enormous shield,
spear, and sword. (See 1 Samuel 17:4–7.)
For 40 days, Goliath challenged them to fight. No one had the courage to face him.
Until a young boy named David came along.
David arrived at the Israelites’ camp to deliver supplies when he heard Goliath’s
shouts. He was surprised to see soldiers flee in terror. When it became clear that
everyone was too afraid to fight, David volunteered to face Goliath.
David was told that there was no way he could defeat Goliath—he was too young. Yet
he knew something they didn’t: his strength came not from his body, but from his
God.

Facing Your Goliaths

In our lives, we face “Goliaths” too. The Goliaths we face can be any number of trials,
challenges, and temptations. Here are three truths David knew that helped him defeat
his Goliath. And they can help you defeat yours too.

1 The Lord Will Be with You

When everyone told David he couldn’t fight Goliath, David replied that he had
already fought a lion and a bear to save his father’s sheep. David confidently declared,
“The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear,
he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).
David knew that the Lord would be with him. With the Lord, we too can face our
Goliaths with confidence.

2 Faith in God Brings Courage

David went to a nearby brook and found five smooth stones. He put the stones in his
bag along with his sling. David then went to meet Goliath.
When Goliath saw David, he made fun of David’s young age. He cursed and
threatened him. David, however, was unimpressed and unafraid. He said,
“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to
thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Samuel
17:45).
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has taught: “David
had a firm faith in the God of Israel, and that faith gave him great courage. …
“… At times all of us must stand against those who mock and revile. Some of us,
sometime, will face some earthly power as mighty as Goliath. When that happens, we
should emulate the courage of David, who was mighty because he had faith and he
went forth in a righteous cause in the name of the Lord of Hosts.” 1
Faith can also help you face your fears with courage.
3 With God, You Can Do the Impossible
You probably already know what happened next. David pulled a stone from his bag
and put it in his sling. He flung the stone, and it struck Goliath’s forehead. Goliath
fell. When the Philistines saw their champion defeated, they fled for their lives.
Before this fight, most people would’ve said David didn’t stand a chance. But David
showed that “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

With God’s help, you can stand your ground with

faith and be  triumphant.
As President Russell M. Nelson has said, when you are facing your own Goliaths,
“you are entitled through your worthiness to receive revelation to help you with your
righteous endeavors. You may take upon you the name of the Lord. You may pray in
His holy name. … Your prayerful access to help is just as real as it was when David
battled his Goliath.”2
With God’s help, you can stand your ground with faith and be triumphant.

5 Everyday Life Lessons Learned From The David

and Goliath Bible Story
by  D AV ID P EA CH   ·    Print  ·    Email
T he story of David and Goliath is wonderful on
many levels. The face value of the story is that God
works through His people to do amazing things. But
there is so much more we can learn from 1 Samuel 17
and this magnificent story. Here are some practical
life lessons we can learn from David’s submission to
God.
Obedience
Without complaint David obeyed his father when
Jesse asked David to take food to his brothers and
check on them (1 Samuel 17:17-20). Apparently
David didn’t have a great relationship with his
brothers. The way Eliab (the eldest) spoke to David
when he arrived at the Israelite camp seems to
indicate there was a great deal of tension among the
siblings (1 Samuel 17:28, 29).
When David’s father asked him to do a job, David
obeyed (1 Samuel 17:20). When David was prompted
by his spirit to take a stand for the Lord, he did it
without hesitation (1 Samuel 17:26, 29). When Saul
asked David to take his armor for the battle, David
apparently tried to comply, but had to respectfully
decline (1 Samuel 17:38, 39).
God has placed authorities over each one of us. We
should be willing to obey in every situation. There are
times when obedience is not possible (Peter spoke of
this in Acts 5:29). But submission is necessary in
these cases. For example, while Daniel could not obey
the king’s command to refrain from worshiping God,
he did submit to the punishment that was enacted
upon him. God gained a great victory before the
people of Babylon because of Daniel’s submission, not
because of his refusal to worship the king.
In this story of David and Goliath, we see David as a
young man of obedience. God calls us to be obedient
servants, not tyrannical rebels.
Take a Stand
When David arrived at the camp he was shocked to
hear the words of Goliath. He immediately thought
that something should be done to stop the
blaspheming giant (1 Samuel 17:26). It almost seems
like David did not notice that everyone else was
cowering in fear. His first reaction was that there was
a cause for which to fight.
“And David spake to the men that stood by him,
saying, 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)
Trust God
David believed that God would gain the victory (1
Samuel 17:26, 32, 37). David wanted to be part
of God’s plan. He trusted that God could and would
use him. How refreshing to think that someone would
volunteer to give his service to the Lord.
Today we hear so many people say that they can’t do
this or that for the Lord because the Lord has not
called them into a particular service. David didn’t wait
to be called. David volunteered to put his life on the
line for God’s honor. I absolutely believe that God
calls people into His service. But, I also think that
many people hide behind the phrase, “God has not
called me to do that.”

I am not sure who first said it, but I have heard the
sentiment that asks, “has God called you to sit at
home and not take the Gospel to a dying world?”
Many people must believe that is what God has called
them to do because that is exactly the way they have
responded to Christ’s call to carry His Word to the
world and make disciples.
Look at Past Victories
David was able to trust the Lord because the Lord had
led in many ways in the past (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
David knew that he could fight Goliath even though
he had never faced a giant in the past. David used the
past victories to give confidence that God would
continue to work in and through him.

You may be facing some great obstacles in your life

today, but what have you seen God accomplish in the
past? Don’t you think He is able to continue to work in
greater ways in the future? Allow those past victories
to encourage you to attempt greater things for the
Lord. Maybe gaining new ground in your spiritual life
is not what you need right now. Maybe you just need
to get back to where you once were in your
relationship with God. Get back there by being
inspired by God’s faithfulness to you in the past. Then
boldly step forward into new victories God wants to
give you.

Surrender Your Talents

We know a few of David’s talents by this point in his
life. We know that he was a skilled musician and that
he was a capable shepherd. Music didn’t seem to be
the tool to pull out when facing a warrior giant. David
surrendered his shepherding skills to do a work for
the Lord.

It is amazing to me to see people with wonderful

talents and abilities sit back in church and not get
involved for the Lord. They will even say things like,
“if I could sing like Mrs. B. or speak like the pastor,
then I would do something for the Lord.” Yet, these
same people could be used to win children to the Lord
by love and affection if they would step into
a Sunday school class. Or they could use their
computer skills to share the Gospel through the
Internet or keep the church’s computers running
properly. It takes a simple step of faith to use their
skills for the Lord.
David had already demonstrated his great musical
talent in the previous chapters of 1 Samuel. But that
very public and prestigious skill of playing the harp
did no good in this situation. What won the day was
David’s ability that was honed while being an
unknown shepherd boy who dedicated his life to living
with stinky sheep.