Conquering Giants to Fulfill My Dream

In 1 Samuel 17:47 I read, “Everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!" (NLT)

Before King David faced Goliath in 1 Samuel, he had to fight four other giants. They weren’t physical giants, but they were giants in his mind.

I am far more likely to face mental giants than a physical one. But mental giants can be just as big and intimidating. And they can keep me from becoming who God wants me to be and fulfilling the dream that God has put in my heart.

The first giant in facing my dream is delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly. God gives me the dream one day, but he doesn’t fulfill it the next day. It may be years before I see the fulfillment of my life dream. There is always a waiting period.

After the prophet Samuel anointed David as king, David’s father, Jesse, told David to get back to tending the sheep. Talk about a delayed dream! It was about 15 years before David actually became king.

But God used that time to build David’s character, teaching him to be obedient even when things didn’t seem to make sense. As David waited for God to fulfill his promise, he learned to trust in God’s sovereignty. The lesson is that God is faithful, and he will complete his work within me, in his time.

The second giant you may face is discouragement. Goliath created a climate of fear in Israel. Everyone was convinced they were going to lose the battle against him.

What people am I listening to that say it can’t be done? Who is putting down my dream, saying it won’t ever happen?

Sometimes I just need a fresh voice, like a shepherd boy with fresh eyes who says, “This guy’s nothing. We can take him down.”

The third giant standing in your way is disapproval. In David’s case, his own brother questioned his motives and disapproved of him going after Goliath.

When God gives me a dream that other people are afraid of and I go for it anyway, I will be misjudged, maligned, and misunderstood. I have to decide what matters more to me: the approval of other people or the approval of God.

The fourth giant I have to face is doubt.

Nobody was a greater expert on war than King Saul. He told David he was crazy for thinking a boy could fight a warrior like Goliath.

Maybe an expert is saying I can’t do it either. And that’s enough to make me start doubting myself.

Remember, experts are often wrong! I won’t be deterred by the naysayers when I focus on God’s promises and trust the Lord is faithful to fulfill my dream.

In summary, the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!. Before King David faced Goliath in 1 Samuel, he had to fight four other giants. They weren’t physical giants, but giants in his mind. I’m more likely to face mental giants than physical ones. They can keep me from becoming who God wants me to be and fulfilling the dream that God has put in my heart. The first giant is delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly. It may be years before I see the fulfillment of a dream. There is always a waiting period. God uses this time to build character, and teach me to be obedient even when things don't seem to make sense. As I wait for God to fulfill his promise, I need to learn to trust in God’s sovereignty. God is faithful, and he will complete his work within me, in his time. The second giant is discouragement. Who am I listening to that say it can’t be done? Who is putting down my dream. I just need a fresh voice. The third giant is disapproval. In David’s case, his own brother questioned his motives and disapproved of him going after Goliath. When God gives me a dream that other people are afraid of and I go for it anyway, I will be misjudged, maligned, and misunderstood. I have to decide what matters more: the approval of others or the approval of God. The fourth giant is in doubt. Maybe an expert is saying I can’t do it. And that’s enough to make me start doubting myself. Experts are often wrong! I won’t be deterred when I focus on God’s promises and trust the Lord is faithful to fulfill the dream He has given me.

To fight like David I need David's kind of fearlessness. David had grown strong in his confidence by trusting God when he had encountered wild animals while guarding his father's sheep. When I face towering problems, recall how God has helped me in the past. Take heart because God gives me strength. Use the skills God had already given me and move forward.