1 Samuel 17:41-58 – A Giant Crushing
David’s victory as champion of his people leads to a rout – the Philistines are crushed (verse 51-53). We see now the beauty of realising that we are not David in the valley, but the ranks on the hillside watching Jesus as ‘David’ fighting in the valley. When he defeats the champion the enemy forces scatter, and our job is simply to pursue and mop up a defeated foe. We see an unlikely saviour enter battle, emerge victorious from the tomb, Satan, Sin, and Death broken, and our job is simply to press home the victory.
Think of the ‘giants’ in your life – the fears or sorrows from the past and the sins that make you stumble. See them like Goliath’s decapitated head! Is your giant death – the fear of your own or the pain of a loved one’s? Death has been felled; we have a resurrection hope. Sin is likewise felled – its power is broken, and we are not slaves. The hurts of pains and abuses long in the past – also felled. They can be left in his good and sovereign hands. We don’t need to face our giants – Jesus has. “The battle is the LORD’s” (verse 47).
What a watchword this is for the church. The battle is the LORD’s – the battle to win hearts and souls. The decisive victory is already won. He will build his church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail. We just need to press home the victory and crush the foe. Like Paul said to the Philippians, “work out your salvation…for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12-13). You can resist temptation, you can be courageous in the face of sickness and death, you can move on from the past – those giants are dead. The Battle is the LORD’s, and the victory is won.
Questions
- 1. What giants do you face?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that the giants are defeated already.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.