Slaying the Giant of Fear!
1Samuel 17:1-11
Introduction:
Israel had Giant Problems! Giant of Fear – Goliath!
Scene of Fear: Valley of Elah
- Much like a large canyon or basin - opening was about a mile in width… in each end of the canyon or valley were high sloping hillsides about a half-mile long. Natural stadium or arena for the ensuing conflict between the Israelite and Philistine armies. During rainy season the valley was full of water… but during most of the year there was only small stream running through the bottom of it. Stream David gathered 5 smooth stones.
- On one hillside was the army of the Philistines on the other hillside was the armies of Israel. Down in the valley facing the Israelites was the Philistine giant – Goliath!
- God’s people faced their giants of fear then and we have our giants of fear today!
- Just because your giant of fear doesn’t have skin on him doesn’t make him any less real, or formidable or destructive in your live. Israel’s giant of fear was physical, while ours often are emotional and spiritual.
“Giant” = as anything bigger than we are!
Giant of Fear = comes in all shapes and sizes – worry, anxiety, panic, doubt, terror, foreboding… fear of public speaking, crowds, heights, failure, financial fears, family fears, marital fears, health fears… times we are gripped by an event or moment of fear that seizes our emotions… other times gripped by an ongoing state of fear…
Bible = a spirit of fear… fear hath torment.
OT Overcomer = David – learn how to slay the “Giant of Fear”
1. The Controlling Power of Fear!
A. It Will Dominate You!
Look: vv.4-7
• Height – 6 cubits and a span = Goliath stood over 9ft 9 inches tall. Perspective: Goliath could have stood under a regulation basketball goal and his head would be in the net. Standing flat footed he could have reached up and touched the top of the backboard.
• Armor – helmet of brass; coat of mail (armor or brass) that weight between 175-200lbs; shin guards of brass; target (javelin) of brass between his shoulders; shat of his spear was like a weaver’s beam and the head of his spear weighed nearly 25lbs; a man went before him carrying a large man-sized shield to protect his body from arrows or darts.
• Goliath was a mammoth of a man towering upwards of 91/2 feet tall… decked in bronze from head to foot…shimmering in the sun he presented a formidable figure down in that valley.
• He seemed invincible; indomitable; undefeatable!
Just his very presence down in that valley has held the entire Israelite army at bay 40 days. No one wanted to walk down in that valley and face the Philistine giant! He dominated them from the very outset.
Do you have a giant or giants that are dominating your life? Bullying you spiritually? Seems invincible, indomitable, undefeatable? Holding you at bay? Every day that goes by that that giant is allowed to live… that giant becomes stronger and you become weaker… eventually become a tyrant that controls your spiritual life.
B. It WILL DEFY YOU!
Look: vv.8-10
Cf. Goliath issued a defiant challenge… no need for all this bloodshed and carnage… no need for everyone to fight… send out a man, any man… fight with me. Whoever wins their army declared the winner and spoils go to the victor!
v.16 – defiant challenge went on for 40 days. Psychological warfare… giant was there every night when they went to bed… giant was there every morning when they woke up. Defying them, taunting them! Wearing them down mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
What your giant will to do you. There every night when you go to bed… giant right there every morning when you wake up… defying you, taunting you spiritually. Push giant away from your mind only to find he comes right back again! Wearing you down mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Robbing you for your confidence in God, joy, peace.. abundant life in Christ.
C. It WILL DISCOURAGE YOU!
Cf. if not careful your giant will do to you what Goliath did to Israel:
Look: v.11
“Dismayed” = to prostrate or breakdown – dominating defiance of that giant broke down the courage of God’s people…discouraged them:
Note: Bible said they were “greatly afraid.” = Entire Israelite army paralyzed by fear! 40 days giant had defied the people of God… no takers… no one willing to step out and face the giant.
Look: v.24 – fear turned to a state of panic. When Goliath stepped out to challenge them the entire Israelite army ran from him…
The more you run from your giant; the more your giant will run after you. Discourage you, break you down spiritually… paralyze you spiritually.
D. It Will Defeat You!
Look: v.25 – that is come up… note: v.8 – come down to me. Every day giant got a little bolder and took a step closer to the armies of Israel. Now, after 40 days, Goliath almost standing in the camp of Israel.
No wonder = (v.24) says when they saw the Goliath… they fled from him… cowering in their tents… afraid to come out and face the giant that was facing them.
Entire army of Israel on the verge of collapse… on verge of defeat and there hasn’t even been a shot fired.
What Goliath did to Israel is exactly what your giant will do to you! Defeat you spiritually. Keep you from stepping out on faith and being what God wants you to be and do what God wants you to be. Keep you from God’s best for your life!
Good News: You can slay the giants in your life!
2. The Overcoming Power of God!
A. Identify Your Giant of Fear (v.23) - this giant had a name – Goliath of Gath. Knew exactly who their giant was. Specify the giant. Know what you are dealing with…name it – giant of fear,
B. Remember the Lord (v.26) – Israel so dominated by giant… forgot who was on their side. Look: v.24
C. Rely on past victories (v.33-37)
D. Arm yourself for the fight (v.40)
E. Step Out by Faith and Win the Victory
