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Facing the Giants
When I first started thinking about what to write for this bulletin, I wanted to write something that was personal to me and something that I have recently gone through. A few months ago I completed the second year of my high school life and will soon begin my third year. These past couple of years I have had great times, but I have also had difficult times. There were times when I felt that there was no end to the harassments and the constant temptations. Also at times I thought there was no one else that understood, and I felt I was alone. But just recently, I realized that when it comes to facing the giants in my life, I am never alone. We are never alone.
As I was thinking about writing this article, the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17 came to my mind. The story begins as the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. While they were on the battlefield they came across a large giant named Goliath. His large appearance scared the Israelite army and they were afraid to fight him. And yet, all it took was the courage of one shepherd boy. David said to the Philistine giant, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David was willing to stand up against the giant with nothing more than a sling and stones, and with God on his side he was able to defeat the giant. He didn’t care how big the obstacle was in front of him, he knew he was not alone and he overcame the obstacle. When Moses died, Joshua was appointed to be the next leader. This new role presented many future troubles, but God reassured him that He would be with him always and would never forsake him just he had done for Moses. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). God also said to Joshua in (Joshua 1:9), “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When Moses sent out spies to scope out the land, only Joshua and Caleb had enough faith in God to believe that with God’s help they could defeat their enemies and conquer the promise land. The story of Joshua and Caleb as well as the story of David can apply to us in our everyday lives.
In our lives there are many giants that we will face. It may be at school where people make fun of you for what you do or do not do, or simply persecute you for your beliefs. We don’t have to face these problems alone. From personal experience, I didn’t know what I was going to do. But then Psalm 34:4 came to mind, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fear.”
There are giants not only in the lives of teens at school but also problems we can face in the work place. People begin to ask why you won’t do certain things with them after work or something like that, so they start to isolate you and mock you. When this happens just know that you are not the only one that goes through these things. From a personal perspective, I know that whenever I go through a hard time that I can go to my parents. I especially can go to my dad because I know that he has gone through the same things that I have and can help me face those giants.
Not only do I have my parents, I also have God to talk to. I know that every day I can go to Him in prayer, ask him for wisdom and guidance to help me with my problems in life. Psalm 120:1 says, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” So as you go out into the world, whether it’s going to school in a couple weeks or just going into another week of work, just know that you are going to face some giants in your life. Some of them, you will not be able to face alone. It may come to a time where it is just too much for you to handle by yourself. When that happens, just think about Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Always remember, God will help you face the giants!
Caleb White
