It is amazing. We don't go looking for trouble. But it always seems to find us. The issue is: what will you do when trouble comes?
David was a shepherd. His life consisted of being a faithful steward of his family's wealth and worshipping God. But, unfortunately, his time in the meadows feeding and watering sheep invited the interest of some of its residents-a lion and a bear. Each of them decided that the sheep looked like a good meal to them. But who they didn't count on was the protector of the sheep. Young and ruddy, without sword or spear, the one they thought would run for cover ran after them. The lion and the bear captured a sheep and were on their way. But David, full of valor and might, rescued the sheep from their very mouths. And when the animals rose up against him, he killed them. Yes. The sweet, serene, God-loving shepherd boy was a warrior! Who knew? God knew.

Trouble comes for a reason. Many times it serves to remind us of who we are. But another reason that trouble comes is to reveal a side of us that we never knew existed. It is where we discover strength, wisdom, and fearlessness that we never knew was there. It can reveal the fortitude we need to face other obstacles with faith and confidence. David's earlier battles prepared him for the battle was to come-the one that mattered most.
Fee fi fo fum…there's a giant and here he comes. Bold. Undefeated. Armored from head to toe. Huge sword. Big attitude. Crazy confidence. Speaking threats. Using intimidation. Who can defeat him? The giant thought no one could. But God knew otherwise.

Goliath was the champion of the Israelites' enemy-the Philistines. Even though they were in a time of peace, they had come out to war with them to take the land that God had given them. The outlook was dismal. It seemed that defeat was inevitable. But there is nothing impossible with God. And all things are possible unto those that believe.
Day after day Goliath challenged anyone to a one-on-one battle with the winner taking all. One fateful day, his challenge was accepted. David chose to go out against him. And what is so unusual is that David fought the battle his way. He didn't use the same armor or weapons any one else would have, including his opponent. He knew the key to his victory was not in him but in God. Any giant can defeat a young boy. But no giant can defeat the Lord of lords and King of kings. God was really the one fighting the battle. So David went out to war with his enemy with nothing out of his norm-his staff, his sling, and five stones. And with God's backing, he fell a giant with one attempt. Goliath fell down dead. But David didn't stop there. He took Goliath's sword that he trusted in and cut his head off with it. He finished him.

We have a lot to learn from the example of David's life. When we are faced with challenges, we may think that they are insurmountable. Sometimes we think that it will take something more than what we have in order to overcome them. It is tempting to relent and accept defeat by default. But go out against your giants with the same weapons that have won battles for you before: faith, the Word of God, fasting, prayer, and operating in love. And when you have the enemy where you want him, don't relent a bit. Take the opportunity to finish him. Who is our enemy? The Word reveals that satan is the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy what God has given us. But we overcome him by the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God.
Do you know who you are? Do you know the heritage of those who belong to Christ? Do you fully realize the power and authority that God has bestowed upon you? We, the people of God, are giant killers, devil defeaters, mountain movers, burden removers, and yoke destroyers. We crush serpents and scorpions. The power that works in us is mighty through God. He has given us the ability to do exploits on His behalf. And even the very gates of hell shall not prevail against us! We are more than conquerors. We cannot be stopped.
Don't give up no matter how things look. We walk by faith and not by sight. And when enemies come against you, fight. And when you win, don't simply walk away. Finish it! Utterly crush his head the way Jesus, our big brother, did. Then the enemies you see right now, you will see no more again forever. That's the Word of God when He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians once and for all. And it is His Word for each of us if we take hold of it.

Go forward. You already have the victory. What are you waiting for? MOVE!
Remember: "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: I Samuel 17, Matthew 11:12
Minister Andrea D. Oates serves at Bibleway Fellowship Center, located at 1914 Vienna Highway in Leslie, under the leadership of Pastor Johnie L. Evans.