(The following is the script for the second part of our Giant Killers Podcast.)
Last time I wrote about the story of Moses sending out the twelve spies into the Promised Land.
This was not an excursion to see “IF” they could do what God said, but it was an excursion designed to bring back reports of what the land was like, what kind of crops it produced, and what the cities were like.
When the spies returned, they had samples of the produce it was beyond imagination. And the land truly was a land flowing with milk and honey. It was everything they had hoped it would be. But they saw fortified cities. And even worse, they saw giants.
So, ten of the twelve spies said, “No way.” We can’t do it. If Moses is intent on leading us to the Promised Land, then we need to select someone to lead us back to Egypt.
Even though God had told them the land was theirs. And even though God promised to send His angel before them to lead the way and to fight on their behalf, they still said no.
I mentioned last week that I was confident no one could name any of the ten who brought back a negative report. But we could all name the two who said, “We can do this.”
Joshua and Caleb were the two who said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
Some days it seems as if giants surround us. Things that stand in opposition to the plans God has for us.
We know from Scripture that God’s people had to come against giants.
Giants such as Goliath. You can read about David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Later in 2 Samuel 21, we read about four other giants. They were probably all related to Goliath. One of them was Goliath’s brother but one of David’s mighty men took care of him.
You might remember another of the giants. This one had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He was the math major of the group.
Anyway, one of David’s brothers took care of him.
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of being a “giant killer.”
One of the things I’ve learned about giant killers is they are faithful to what God puts in front of them to do. They have learned about the faithfulness of God by being faithful themselves.
David’s mighty men were soldiers. Going to war was what they did. So, it shouldn’t surprise us they encountered these giants. They didn’t try to use someone else’s armor or someone else’s weapons. They stayed true to what God had for them.
It also shouldn’t surprise us they defeated the giants. There are two reasons why they defeated their giants.
First, God was with them. Second, David was their leader. He was their mentor. The example they wanted to follow.
I’ve often thought it was unfortunate that we don’t know more about the Mighty Men of David. We know they took out giants, and defeated armies of enemies. But what got them to that point? They didn’t just go out and pick up a sword and start looking for giants.
David, for example, watched over his father’s sheep. In the process of being a good shepherd, he had to fight a lion and a bear.
He was also a good shot with his sling shot. If this is so, that would mean he had to practice with his sling shot. As best I can figure, those abilities don’t just happen.
I’ve learned several lessons about giant killers from the life of David.
First, if I want to be a giant killer, I need to hang around other giant killers. I need relationships that will build me up, encourage me, challenge me, and keep me accountable.
Find someone who models what it means to be a giant killer. Ask them to mentor you or if you can meet with them periodically. Ask them if you can have phone calls and facetime them or zoom call them. Ask if you can e-mail them or text them. Develop a relationship with them.
I want to take a little rabbit trail here. Occasionally, we need to take stock of who influences us. Who are the ones who influence you? Do they encourage you? Do they challenge you? Do they make you want to be better than you are? Or do they cause you to be discouraged and feel as if you won’t make it?
If there are those who cause you to doubt or feel discouraged, you might consider moving a little further away from them than you have been in the past. In other words, do they pull you down? Are they critical? Do they encourage you to pursue God? Do they encourage you to dream? And to pursue your dreams?
If they don’t do these things, you need to move them out from being influencers in your life.
You don’t have to be mean to them. You don’t even have to quit being friends with them, but you need to stop allowing them to be a toxic influence.
Second, I need to be faithful to the things God puts in my path. Some of things may seem to be “below us.” Some of those things won’t be glamorous. But if we aren’t faithful in the little things, I don’t believe God will open the door for the bigger things.
(The original Podcast can be listened to on the following platforms: Google, Apple, and Spotify.)
Always in Pursuit.
In Pursuit! 