THE SWORD THAT CUT OFF THE HEAD OF THE GIANT

To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

   David had a heart that was truly turned toward God, a heart that loved beyond reason and trusted beyond logic. His love and devotion to God was evident as he poured and cried out to God time and time again in the Psalms, always in complete honesty, and totally unhindered, and even at times “undignified.” (2 Samuel 6:22)

   1 Samuel 17 opens up with a battle. “Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.” (v. 2-3)

   The Philistines had a “champion” named Goliath. He was a giant of nearly 10 feet tall (v.4). Just his armor alone weighed 126 pounds. This champion warrior giant went out twice a day for forty days (v. 16) and threatened and intimidated the Israelite army, promising to make them slaves to the Philistines (v. 9), causing them great fear. Every time he came out, the mighty Israelite army scattered, hiding in the hills or anywhere they felt would bring them safety. King Saul also trembled with fear over the day and evening bullying of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:8-11). Verse 11 in The Message translation says, “When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine’s challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope.” There was not one Israelite soldier that had the courage or the faithto go out against Goliath.

   When David saw what was happening on the battlefield he did not hesitate to volunteer to go out against Goliath, despite the fear that hung thick in the atmosphere. “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:31 NKJ) To those around him, it may have sounded like insanity at what David was suggesting. Even king Saul tried to talk some sense into David. He pointed out to him that he would not be able to prevail again the giant. King Saul looked at the physical things of this earth; his strength lay in the armies of Israel. “And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33). 

   King Saul was absolutely right, David was not able to go against the Philistine, but God was! And that was exactly what David was counting on! David had learned from experience that his God “is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). And, “with God all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26) Penned by David’s very own hand was written; “Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!” (Psalm 20:7) Goliath was known as a “battle warrior” but David is known as a “prayer warrior”. I would call that a leg up for David!

   King Saul was out of options, and heroes. Not one single man stepped forward to fight the giant, including the king himself. David gives the king a brief history of God’s faithfulness to him from his past. “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.’ Moreover David said, ‘ The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. “ (1 Samuel 17:33-37)

  When Goliath saw David, a young shepherd boy, he had distain (a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior-merriam-webseter.com), but he had no idea of who he was dealing with, for some would even call David a Giant of faith!

   During the forty days that the giant went out-twice a day-he never once attacked the Israelite army, he was all talk, using intimidation and threats. The army ran for cover in fear and trembling based on the words that the enemy used.

   The giants that we face today are the same giants from David’s time. The enemy has not changed his methods or his tactics. His plan is always to get God’s people into fear and trembling by using threats and intimidation. The lies that the enemy uses against us have no power and his words carry no weight.

   When David let that stone fly from his sling it hit the giant and took him down, but it was the enemy’s own weapon that utterly destroyed him. The sword that the enemy was going to use against David, was the very thing that David used to cut off the giant’s head. When the enemy comes against us, God empowers us to defeat and destroy the enemy using the very thing that was intended to destroy us.

   Faith in God empowers us beyond the natural or physical realm. “Through faith’s power they conquered kingdoms and established true justice. Their faith fastened onto their promises and pulled them into reality! It was faith that shut the mouth of lions, put out the power of raging fire, and caused many to escape certain death by the sword. In their weakness their faith imparted power to make them strong! Faith sparked courage within them and they became mighty warriors in battle, pulling armies from another realm into battle array.” Hebrews 11:33-34

      Faith is a strong conviction and a determination to stand on what the Lord God has said, to “have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.” Acts 27:25 The enemy says we are in a time of “woke” culture, but God says we are in a time of “awakening”! And that is exactly the sword that is going to cut off the head of the giant!

Woke: a term that refers to a perceived awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice. –Wikipedia.org

Awaken: To wake up; to become aware of something –thefreedictionary.com

So wake up, you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you ageless doors of destiny! Welcome the King of Glory, for He is about to come through you. You ask, “Who is this Glory-King?” The Lord, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, invincible in every way! So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice! Fling wide, you ageless doors of destiny! Here He comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in. You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?: He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, He is the King of Glory! Psalm 24:7-10