Facing Giants: Courage, Faith, and God's Power

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees the Heart, Not the Outward Appearance

God does not judge by outward appearances or worldly standards, but looks at the heart and inner character of each person. Even when others overlook or underestimate you, God sees your true value and potential, just as He chose David, the youngest and least likely in his family, to be king. This truth brings hope and encouragement, reminding you that your worth is not determined by others’ opinions or your own limitations, but by God’s loving and purposeful gaze. [36:31]

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV)
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel overlooked or underestimated? How can you remind yourself today that God sees your heart and values you deeply, regardless of what others think?

Day 2: Facing Giants Is Always Intimidating

Every person will encounter intimidating “giants” in life—challenges, people, or situations that seem overwhelming and impossible to overcome. These giants may not be literal, but they can take the form of difficult relationships, health issues, financial struggles, or daunting opportunities. Recognizing that intimidation is a normal part of facing big challenges helps you not to be discouraged or ashamed of your fear, but to acknowledge it honestly and seek God’s help in the midst of it. [43:48]

1 Samuel 17:4, 8-11 (ESV)
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span... He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

Reflection: What is one “giant” you are facing right now that feels intimidating? How can you bring this fear honestly before God today?

Day 3: Courage Is Moving Forward Despite Fear

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in faith even when you are afraid. David’s example shows that true courage means disregarding ridicule, rejecting worldly solutions, remembering God’s past faithfulness, preparing practically, and boldly declaring your trust in God. When you step forward in obedience, even with trembling hands, you open the door for God to work powerfully through you and for His glory. [59:12]

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: Where do you need to take a courageous step today, even though you feel afraid? What practical action can you take to move forward in faith?

Day 4: God Rewards Faithful Obedience

When you step out in faith to face your giants, God honors and rewards your obedience—not always with material blessings, but with renewed confidence, deeper faith, and tangible reminders of His power and provision. Like David, who kept Goliath’s weapons as a testimony of God’s deliverance, you can look back on moments of obedience and see how God came through, strengthening you for future challenges and giving you stories to encourage others. [01:04:09]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you stepped out in faith and saw God come through for you? How can you use that memory to encourage yourself or someone else facing a challenge today?

Day 5: The Power of God’s Spirit Is Greater Than Any Giant

As a follower of Jesus, you have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead living in you, empowering you to face any challenge with confidence in God’s strength rather than your own. No giant, fear, or obstacle is greater than the resurrection power at work within you. This truth invites you to surrender your life to Christ, trust in His presence, and move forward knowing that God will never leave or forsake you. [01:10:36]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to rely on God’s Spirit, rather than your own strength, as you face your current challenges? Is there an area where you need to surrender control and trust in His power today?

Sermon Summary

Today we began a new series exploring the life of David, focusing on the well-known account of David and Goliath. This story is not just about a young shepherd defeating a giant warrior, but about the deeper spiritual realities we all face. Every one of us encounters “giants” in our lives—intimidating people, overwhelming problems, or daunting opportunities that seem beyond our ability to handle. The story of David reminds us that God does not look at outward appearances or human qualifications, but at the heart. Even when others overlook us or doubt our potential, God sees what He can do through us.

David’s courage in facing Goliath was not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward in faith despite fear. He faced ridicule from his own family, rejected the world’s solutions, and instead relied on the faithfulness of God, remembering how God had delivered him in the past. David prepared himself practically, but his confidence was not in his own strength or skill—it was in the Lord. He made it clear that the battle belonged to God, and that any victory would be for God’s glory, not his own.

When we step out in faith to face our own giants, we discover that God is faithful to provide what we need. The rewards may not always be material, but they are real: a deeper confidence in God, a renewed faith, and a testimony to His power at work in our lives. The story of David and Goliath is ultimately a reminder that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. No challenge or intimidation is greater than the power of God within us. As we trust Him and step forward, we not only experience His victory, but we also bring glory to His name.

Key Takeaways

1. God Sees Beyond Outward Appearances While people—including even our own families—may overlook us or judge us by external standards, God looks at the heart and sees potential where others see insignificance. David was not even considered by his father as a candidate for kingship, yet God chose him because of his heart. This truth should encourage us when we feel inadequate or dismissed by others, reminding us that God’s calling is not limited by human expectations. [36:31]
2. Courage Is Moving Forward Despite Fear Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in faith even when fear is present. David was surrounded by an army paralyzed by fear, yet he stepped forward, not because he was fearless, but because he trusted God more than he feared the giant. True courage is found in obedience to God’s call, even when the outcome is uncertain and the risks are real. [52:17]
3. Rejecting Worldly Solutions and Remembering God’s Faithfulness When facing challenges, the world offers many solutions that may seem practical but often lead us away from God’s best. David refused Saul’s armor and instead relied on the tools and experiences God had already given him. By remembering past victories and God’s faithfulness, we are emboldened to trust Him for present and future battles, rather than defaulting to human wisdom. [56:04]
4. Faith Requires Both Preparation and Dependence on God David did not simply rush into battle unprepared; he selected stones, took his staff, and approached Goliath with practical readiness. Yet, his ultimate confidence was in God, not in his own preparation. This balance teaches us to do our part—praying, preparing, seeking wise counsel—while ultimately depending on God for the outcome and giving Him the glory. [57:56]
5. God’s Power in Us Is Greater Than Any Giant We Face The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in every believer, empowering us to face even the most intimidating challenges. Our giants may take many forms—fear, inadequacy, loss, or new responsibilities—but none are greater than the resurrection power within us. As we step out in faith, we experience God’s presence, provision, and the deep reward of seeing His glory revealed through our obedience. [70:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction of Guest: Christian Financial Resources
[03:00] - Announcements and Series Introduction
[05:30] - The Honest Portrayal of David’s Life
[07:00] - The Story of David and Goliath
[10:00] - Context: David’s Anointing and Family Dynamics
[13:10] - Facing Giants: Intimidation and Fear
[16:00] - Goliath’s Description and the Israelite Army’s Fear
[19:00] - The Giants We Face Today
[23:00] - Intimidating People and Problems
[27:00] - Intimidating Opportunities and Promotions
[29:00] - Courage in the Face of Fear
[32:00] - Rejecting Ridicule and Worldly Solutions
[36:00] - Remembering God’s Past Victories
[39:00] - Preparing for Battle and Verbalizing Faith
[43:00] - The Rewards of Facing Giants
[47:00] - Personal Testimony: Overcoming Fear
[52:00] - Resurrection Power and the Spirit Within
[55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[72:40] - Praise Reports, Prayer Requests, and Closing Announcements
[82:09] - Final Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Facing Giants – The Story of David and Goliath

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 17:4-51
(The story of David and Goliath, focusing on David’s courage, faith, and God’s victory.)

Observation Questions

What details are given about Goliath’s appearance and armor, and how did these details affect the Israelite army’s response to him? ([40:14])
How did David’s own family and King Saul react to the idea of David fighting Goliath? What were some of the things they said or did? ([36:31])
What did David say to Goliath before the battle, and what does this reveal about where David placed his confidence? ([59:12])
What practical steps did David take to prepare for the battle, and what did he refuse to use? ([57:56])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose David, the youngest and least likely son, to be king instead of his older brothers? What does this say about how God views people? ([36:31])
The sermon says courage is not the absence of fear, but moving forward despite fear. How does David’s example help us understand what real courage looks like? ([52:17])
David remembered how God had helped him in the past (with the lion and the bear). Why is it important to remember God’s past faithfulness when facing new challenges? ([56:04])
The sermon mentions that David made sure the victory would bring glory to God, not himself. Why is this important, and how can it change the way we approach our own “giants”? ([59:12])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about “giants” we face today—intimidating people, overwhelming problems, or scary opportunities. What is one “giant” you are facing right now? How does it make you feel? ([43:48])
Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated by others, like David was by his family? How did you respond, and what would it look like to trust that God sees your heart and potential? ([36:31])
When you are afraid or intimidated, do you tend to freeze, run away, or try to handle things on your own? What would it look like to move forward in faith, even if you still feel afraid? ([52:17])
The world often offers “solutions” that seem practical but may not be God’s best. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to use a worldly solution instead of trusting God? What happened? ([56:04])
David prepared for battle by using what he knew (his sling and stones) but depended on God for the outcome. In your current challenges, are you doing your part to prepare, while still depending on God? What might need to change? ([57:56])
The sermon said the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. How does this truth encourage you as you face your own giants? Is there a specific way you can remind yourself of this during the week? ([01:10:36])
When God brings you through a difficult situation, how can you make sure to give Him the glory and not just take the credit for yourself? ([59:12])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person in the group trust Him with their “giants,” to remember His faithfulness, and to give Him the glory for every victory. Pray for courage to move forward in faith, even when afraid.

Sermon Clips

Part of what makes it such a rewarding experience for us today David didn't have this yet but we have it. That is it's a great reminder of the resurrection power that lives in every follower of Jesus Christ. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead the scripture says is in you also. You see if the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you is there anything any giant any intimidating thing you face that's more powerful than that. [01:10:06] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

The scripture says the power that's in you is greater than the power that's at work in the world. We may be scared and God knows that that's why he gives us his spirit and his power so that we can move forward even in our fear in obedience to what he's calling us to do. [01:10:36] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

David said to the Philistine, You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands. I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. [00:32:25] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

Courage is never the absence of fear. If you're not afraid, it doesn't require any courage. Right? Courage is not the absence of fear. It's the ability to move forward even when you are afraid. It's the ability to face the thing, even when you're scared. It's the ability to take the action called for, even when you're not sure about what's going to happen when you do it. That's what courage is. [00:52:21] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

You see, He wanted to make sure that when He moved forward in faith, that it was God who got the glory. It was God that they had to recognize as the one who delivered the victory to His people. It is really easy for our egos to get in the way when we do conquer some giants. We can get puffed up. We can get pretty self -confident. Instead of a term that Sue Ann and I use, and I love that she started using this term, and I just adopted it to God -confidence, not self -confidence. There's a difference in those two things. [01:00:36] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

It's amazing to me, as soon as one more hard thing comes into our lives, it's like we don't remember anything about the fact that God has brought us to where we are now. He's already delivered us so many times. We've already overcome so many obstacles and challenges along the way. We can get so disheartened with the very next one after all the stuff God's already done all through our lives. [00:57:39] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

You see, even his own father had not thought at all that this could be the one. His own father didn't think that David was king, material, at this point in his life. Which gives us all, I think, a little hope, doesn't it? When we think about going up against giants and we're intimidated by other people, how does God see us? You know, he doesn't look at just the outside. God looks on the inside. [00:36:06] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

God wants to honor the faithfulness of his people. He wants to reward us for our faithfulness. It's not always exactly like money, like if I give a dollar, he's going to give me $100 back. That's not what he's talking about here. It's talking about God's care and blessing and provision for your life. God will reward those who step out in faith and honor him in a lot of different ways. [01:02:33] (24 seconds) Edit Clip