Giants

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” - Joshua 1:9

When God spoke these words to the Israelites, Moses had just died. He was the Israelite's leader and God's voice for forty years, and now he was gone. The people had failed time after time in obeying God's voice and often suffered severe consequences for their disobedience (1 Corinthians 10:10). They were stuck in the desert because they failed to obey God and to trust in His Word. Now they were facing a land filled with enemies and giants that towered over them (Numbers 13:32-33). They had every reason to be afraid, yet God said in essence, "Don't worry, I'm with you and will fight for you. Just trust me and obey my voice."

Many people believe that once they accept Jesus as their Savior all their problems will magically disappear. Then when their lives seem to spiral out of control as they face attack after attack, they often question God's direction and contemplate giving up. They see the "giants of the land" and are afraid.

Each of us as Christians face hardships, whether as consequences of our disobedience to God's Word, breaking the law, standing faithfully on the Word in a hostile culture, or simply due to our lives' daily struggles. We all face giants at one time or another. What is important is not the giant we face, but the one who fights on our behalf.

The same month that I turned 25, I pled guilty to some horrible crimes and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. To say that I was afraid was a massive understatement. My life was already unsettled after I had lost my wife, children, job, house, vehicles, and had 5 dollars to my name. I had heard the horror stories about prison life, and I had contemplated ending my life. Thankfully, God spoke to me in my desert, and I surrendered the broken pieces of my life to Him. I had little to offer and no hope for the future, but God spoke the words of Joshua 1:9 to me and said, "I am with you."

I cannot say that I did not have struggles, face violence, or been afraid for my life, but God has always been there. Looking back, I can see Jesus walking with me and fighting every one of my battles. He has given me a strong testimony through every test he has brought me through. That is the greatest thing about facing trials and knowing just how weak I am. When I am victorious, I know the only reason I am is because of God's strength and His grace.

Life can be a great challenge when we face our giants. You may be on the verge of bankruptcy, facing divorce, close to foreclosure on the house, or even facing prison time as well. The giants in this world are varied and numerous. They often appear greater than we can ever hope to overcome. We may feel afraid and alone, but God has promised us as His children that He is with us "wherever we go." He will not only fight our giants at our side, but He promises that He will give us victory, which also reveals our purpose.

Jesus has given us two commands that summarizes the whole law. We are to love Him with all our heart and to love each other as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). He has called us His body on earth and has filled us with His Spirit. Our purpose is to go out into the world and to represent Him. His Spirit will guide our steps and show us the way. Our daily choice is to set out in faith, listen to His voice, and pass on His love to a hurting world. This world is lost in darkness, and we have within us the Light that can show them the way if only we will be “strong and courageous.”

There is no unimportant part of our physical bodies, and the spiritual Body works the same way. We each play a vital role (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Ask God today to show you your role in His Body. As He gives you victory over your giants, testify to those who are in fear before their own giants. Stand up for the defenseless. Witness to the lost and assist the hopeless.

This world is a mess and is filled with giants. Go forth and do not be afraid for the slayer of giants is with you.