What does the Bible Say About..? Giants & Monsters

Devotional

Day 1: Giants Are Real, But They Are Not Greater Than God

No matter how intimidating the giants in our lives may seem—whether they are literal obstacles, fears, or challenges—God is always greater. The story of David and Goliath reminds us that even when we feel small or outmatched, God’s power is more than enough to overcome what stands against us. When we focus on the size of our problems, we can lose sight of the greatness of our God, but when we remember who fights for us, our faith is strengthened and our fears are diminished. [14:44]

1 Samuel 17:32-50 (ESV)
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “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. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.

Reflection: What is one “giant” in your life that you have been focusing on more than God’s power? How can you shift your focus today to trust in God’s greatness instead?

Day 2: The Real Monsters Are Not Their Size, But Their Sin

The Nephilim and other giants in the Bible are not just defined by their physical stature, but by their pride, rebellion, and continual sin against God. Their story is a warning that greatness without godliness leads to destruction, and that the true danger lies in a heart turned away from God. No matter how impressive or intimidating someone or something may appear, it is the state of the heart before God that truly matters. [24:01]

Genesis 6:1-5 (ESV)
When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to value outward success or strength over a heart that seeks God? What would it look like to pursue godliness above all else today?

Day 3: Giants Fall When Faith Stands

Victory over the giants in our lives does not come from our own strength, skill, or resources, but from faith in the God who is stronger than any enemy. David did not deny Goliath’s strength, but he declared God’s power and trusted in Him completely. When we stand in faith, even when the odds seem impossible, God is able to bring down what we could never defeat on our own. [25:56]

Numbers 13:33 (ESV)
And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to rely on your own abilities instead of trusting God’s power? What is one step of faith you can take today to stand firm in God’s strength?

Day 4: Faith Defeats Fear When We Remember Who Fights For Us

God’s promise to His people is that He goes with us and will never leave or forsake us, no matter how daunting the challenge. When we remember that the Lord Himself fights for us, our courage grows and our fear fades. The stories of Jericho and countless others remind us that God’s presence and power are what bring victory, not our own might. [28:42]

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel alone or overwhelmed. How can you remind yourself today that God is with you and fights for you?

Day 5: Overcome Your Giants By Running Toward Them In Faith

God calls us not to avoid the giants in our lives, but to face them head-on with faith, trusting that He goes before us and empowers us to overcome. Whether your giant is fear, failure, temptation, or a broken relationship, God is a God of restoration and victory. When you identify your giant, pray over it, and move forward in faith, you will see God’s power at work in your life. [34:42]

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Reflection: What is one giant you have been avoiding? Write it down, pray over it, and ask God to help you take a bold step toward overcoming it this week.

Sermon Summary

The story of David and Goliath is not just a tale of an underdog’s victory, but a powerful reminder that God’s strength is greater than any giant we face. David, a young shepherd, stood before a nine-foot warrior armed with nothing but a sling, five smooth stones, and unwavering faith in the living God. While the armies of Israel cowered in fear, David’s confidence was not in his own ability, but in the God who had delivered him from lions and bears before. He refused to wear Saul’s armor, choosing instead to trust in what God had already given him and the experiences that had shaped his faith.

Throughout history and across cultures, stories of giants and monsters have represented chaos, fear, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of life. The Bible acknowledges the reality of these giants—whether literal, like Goliath, or metaphorical, like the Nephilim or the fortified walls of Jericho. Yet, the consistent message is that no matter how intimidating the enemy, God is always greater. The Israelites faltered when they saw themselves as grasshoppers before the giants of Canaan, forgetting the God who had parted the Red Sea for them. Their fear magnified the enemy and minimized their faith.

True victory comes not from our own strength or resources, but from remembering who fights for us. David’s declaration, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts,” is a model for facing our own giants—be they fear, failure, temptation, or uncertainty. God’s power is not always visible, but it is always present, working on behalf of those who trust Him. The giants in our lives may not be nine feet tall, but they are real. Yet, faith stands when we remember that the battle belongs to the Lord.

The challenge is to identify the giants we’ve been avoiding, bring them before God in prayer, and step forward in faith, trusting that the same God who brought down Goliath still fights for us today. We are called not to shrink back in fear, but to run toward our giants, confident in the God who goes before us and works within us for His good pleasure.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Past Faithfulness Fuels Present Courage David’s confidence before Goliath was rooted in his memory of God’s past deliverance from lions and bears. When we recall how God has been faithful in our own lives, it strengthens us to face new challenges with boldness. Our history with God is not just a record of past victories, but a foundation for present faith. Remembering God’s faithfulness transforms fear into courage. [00:46]
2. Giants Are Real, But God Is Greater The giants we face—whether literal, emotional, or spiritual—are not to be dismissed or minimized. The Bible acknowledges their reality, but insists that they are never greater than God. When we focus on the size of our obstacles, we risk losing sight of the God who is for us. Faith is not the denial of difficulty, but the conviction that God’s power surpasses every threat. [14:44]
3. Greatness Without Godliness Leads to Destruction The Nephilim and other giants in Scripture symbolize humanity’s pride and rebellion against God. Their downfall was not just their size, but their sin. True greatness is measured not by power or reputation, but by a heart aligned with God. Pursuing greatness apart from godliness ultimately leads to ruin, while humility before God leads to life. [24:01]
4. Faith Stands When We Remember Who Fights for Us David did not pretend Goliath wasn’t strong; he simply declared that God was stronger. Our faith is not in our own ability to overcome, but in the God who goes before us. When we remember that the battle belongs to the Lord, we can face even the most intimidating giants with peace and confidence. God’s presence is our assurance of victory. [28:01]
5. Run Toward Your Giants, Not Away The call is not to avoid or ignore the giants in our lives, but to confront them in faith. Like David, we are to run toward what we fear, trusting that God will empower us to overcome. Avoidance breeds anxiety, but faith in action brings freedom and growth. God is honored when we trust Him enough to face our giants head-on.

** [34:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - David’s Courage and God’s Deliverance
[01:25] - Rejecting Saul’s Armor
[02:06] - Goliath’s Taunts and David’s Response
[02:44] - The Battle Belongs to the Lord
[04:04] - Visualizing Goliath’s Size
[06:11] - Israel’s Fear and David’s Arrival
[08:10] - David’s Victory and Goliath’s Defeat
[09:33] - Golgotha and the Place of the Skull
[10:14] - Giants and Monsters in the Bible
[12:10] - Giants Are Real, But God Is Greater
[18:00] - Who Were the Nephilim?
[24:39] - Giants Fall When Faith Stands
[28:01] - Faith Defeats Fear
[32:45] - Facing Your Giants Today
[34:42] - Challenge: Run Toward Your Giants
[35:19] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Facing Giants with Faith

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 17:32-50 (ESV)
> And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” ... (Read through verse 50 for the full story.)

Genesis 6:1-5 (ESV)
> When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Numbers 13:30-33 (ESV)
> But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Observation Questions

What reasons did David give Saul for his confidence in facing Goliath, and how did his past experiences shape his faith? ([00:46])
How did the Israelites respond when they saw the giants in Canaan, and what did they compare themselves to? ([11:34])
According to Genesis 6, what was the main problem with the Nephilim and the people of that time? ([19:20])
What did David say to Goliath before the battle, and what does this reveal about where his trust was placed? ([02:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think David refused to wear Saul’s armor and chose instead to use his sling and stones? What does this say about trusting in God versus human methods? ([01:25])
The Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants. How does focusing on the size of our problems affect our faith and actions? ([14:44])
The Nephilim were described as “men of renown,” but their downfall was their wickedness. What does this teach about the difference between greatness and godliness? ([24:01])
David declared, “the battle is the Lord’s.” How does remembering who fights for us change the way we face our own giants? ([02:44])

Application Questions

David’s courage came from remembering God’s past faithfulness (lions and bears). Can you recall a specific time when God helped you in the past? How might that memory give you courage for a current challenge? ([00:46])
The Israelites’ fear made their enemies seem bigger and God seem smaller. Is there a “giant” in your life right now that you’ve been avoiding because it feels too big? What would it look like to bring this to God in prayer? ([14:44])
The sermon said, “Greatness without godliness leads to destruction.” Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to pursue success or recognition apart from God’s ways? How can you realign your priorities? ([24:01])
David ran toward Goliath instead of running away. Is there a difficult conversation, task, or step of faith you’ve been putting off? What would it look like to “run toward your giant” this week? ([34:42])
The giants in our lives may be fear, failure, temptation, or uncertainty. Which of these feels most real to you right now? What is one practical step you can take to face it with faith instead of fear? ([32:45])
The sermon challenged us to write down a giant we’ve been avoiding, pray over it, and ask God for help. Would you be willing to share your “giant” with the group and pray for each other this week? ([33:25])
God’s power is not always visible, but it is always present. How can you remind yourself daily that “the battle belongs to the Lord,” especially when you feel overwhelmed? ([28:01])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray specifically for the “giants” shared, asking God for courage, faith, and the reminder that He is greater than anything we face.

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