1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Join us on YouTube for See You Saturday as we talk about slaying our giants.

Make sure to check out our shared Lent playlist on Julie Wicker’s Spotify.

We also encourage you to worship with You’ve Already Won by Shane and Shane.

1 Samuel 17:48-50 NIV — As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 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. 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.

On this Finish Friday, let’s remember that we will not have to face the giants alone. God will equip us with all we need to slay the giants in front of us. 

Spend some time meditating on the following quote by Christine Caine — Just as God gave Moses exactly what he needed to accomplish great things, he will equip us in the same way. If he calls us to slay giants, He will make us into giant slayers.

What are you doing to be open to God’s guidance? Open your heart and mind to God’s equipment that He is providing for you to slay the giants ahead of you. Be on the lookout for the slingshot and stones He will provide and watch the giants fall!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for equipping me to slay the giants I face. Show me Your equipment and give me Your strength to go into battle. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: Reflect on the list you wrote this week. So far your list includes giants you are facing and ways God has rescued you in the past. Today, write down any ways you see God equipping you. In the days ahead, continue to refer back to your list as you go into battle as a giant slayer with God at your side.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 NIV — But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David trusted that his Lord, our Lord, would rescue him from the danger of the giant he would face. Do you have that same confidence in God? Take time to reflect over past giants you have faced. How has God equipped you to face those giants? What was the result when you trusted God and allowed Him to give you what you needed? Spend time thanking God for all the times He has rescued you and praise Him for all the times He will rescue you in the future.

Listen to the words of  Rescue by Lauren Daigle and be encouraged by the promise of God rescuing you as you face the giants in front of you.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all the times You have rescued me in the past and all the times You will rescue me in the future. You are my Savior! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: On the same page you have listed the giants you are facing, make a list of all the giants God has already rescued you from in the past.

1 Samuel 17:8-11 NIV — 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. 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.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Not only did Saul and the Israelites have a giant blocking them, but the giant was also taunting them just like a bully would do. “Na na na boo boo, you can’t catch me!”  Do you have a giant taunting and teasing you from moving forward? Are you feeling terrified and overcome with fear? 

Fear is an overwhelming emotion if we allow it to take over our thoughts. As Christians, we know in our minds that God is our refuge and with Him we have nothing to fear. When I reflect on times I am fearful of the giants towering over me, I realize I have focused too much on the giant and my own abilities instead of on God and His abilities. I encourage you to spend some time listening to the words of the song Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams. As you listen, focus on God, His abilities, and your response to the giants before you.

Let’s pray. Dear Almighty God, thank You for Your love, guidance and strength. Help me to stay focused on You instead of the giants I face. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.  

Challenge: Refer back to the list of giants you made yesterday. Write beside each giant the words “Fear is a liar!”

1 Samuel 17:1-7 NIV — Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

In today’s terms, Goliath was 9 foot 9 inches tall. He wore a bronze armor that weighed 125 lbs and carried a spear weighing 15 lbs. He was a true giant.

What giant is standing in front of you? Perhaps you have multiple giants you are facing. Are your giants towering over you or blocking you from moving forward? How are you feeling about facing your giants? Are you avoiding them or are you gearing up to face them? Join us tomorrow as we continue to discuss giant slaying.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for stories in the Bible that give me guidance on living a Christian life. Open my eyes to Your message for me this week. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Challenge: Make a list and name the giant/giants you are currently facing.

This week we will focus on 1 Samuel 17. Spend time today reading and meditating on the entire passage. This passage is a story that I am sure you are familiar with but today, allow God to speak to you through His words. What is His message for you at this time in your life?

1 Samuel 17 NIV

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