17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[a] 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
1 Samuel 17:1-11
⚔️ Who is your enemy?
Who are the Philistines in your life? How big is their army? How fierce are they?
⛰Where is your mountain?
The difficult road or path that you have to take, the uphill battle that you have to climb — where is it?
👹 What is your giant?
What is the biggest struggle that is standing in your way to victory?
We’re not closing our eyes to the reality of these challenges. The people of God are created to be wise and discerning.
So we aren’t turning away from these challenges. We’re facing them head on. And we do so with the full power and might of God behind us!
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
1 Samuel 17:45-48
Now, since you know where your mountain is, and who your enemies are, and what your giant is, the next question is, what are your five stones?
⚪️ The love of God
⚪️ Your identity in Christ
⚪️ Your song of worship
⚪️ Your heart of willingness
⚪️ The grace of God
Like the stones of David, all the above are free, within easy reach, and available to anyone. There are no specialized fees. There is no exclusive membership or extensive certifications required.
We just have to reach out and pick them up.
All of these together will bring the miracle that you need to overcome your enemy, climb your mountain, and slay your giant.
Because you see, it is not our job, it is not on us, to do the impossible thing. That’s not the requirement here. That’s not what God is asking.
In the parable of the five loaves and two fishes, the boy wasn’t asked to feed the crowd. He just had a willing heart to step forward and give what he had.
In the story about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, her hands weren’t the instrument of healing. It was her faith and willingness that set her free at that time.
Daniel who went into the lion’s den wasn’t led there by God so that he would defeat the lion. It was God who held the lion’s mouth shut even as Daniel continued praying despite the odds.
Through all of these, it is God who will move to make the victory happen. It is God’s hand that will be on yours to give you strength. It will be the Holy Spirit within you that will give you more than enough to conquer, exceedingly, overwhelmingly more than you can ask or imagine.
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
Who is your enemy? Where is your mountain? What is your giant?
Like David, let’s never forget to bring it back to Jesus. Let’s step forward in faith and humility, hope and courage, and with our five stones, come before Him expecting Him to move.
It might be scary. It will be difficult. But God is the God who never fails. He will meet you, as you step forward, body, heart and soul, in worship.
