“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.” (Psalm 33:16-17)
“O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” (Psalm 48:12)
The Psalmist looks at the hills and the mountains and did not take account of their loftiness or imposing stature, but the greatness of the One who created them. Nothing can be greater than what created it. He looks at God’s creation and gives him glory; he recognises his security is guaranteed under the wings of a God of such grandeur. Security resides in a God who never winks nor sleeps; the psalmist expresses his full confidence and assurance in him. So he writes: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heavens and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-3)
When we put our trust wholly in God we feel safe; for then we stop looking at our circumstances and we start focusing on God, who is Almighty, All-knowing and Ever-present. We belittle God when we dwell on our circumstances; we end up magnifying the enemy or the obstacle to proportions that will intimidate us. That was what happened when thewhole army of Israel was paralysed before the Philistine giant Goliath, who threw threats and insults at its soldiers. “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” (1 Samuel 17:10)Not until young David came on the scene and threatened the giant andgrounded him, did their hearts stopped pumping.
David’s secret weapon
Young as David was, he mustered enough courage to challenge the Philistine not with his own might or ability but with the assurance that God gives when we abide in him. David looked at Goliath to the face and proffered; “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, who you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
Was David willing and ready to fight in his strength? No! He only saw Goliath through the eyes of the God that he served and that God is the ALMIGHTY! He cannot be moved or shaken, his kingdom neither. By calling on his name David was certain that the God of Israel will not put him to shame. God Jehovah will honour his name as the God who gives us victory – Jehovah Nissi.
Fear no one! We turn people into giants because we are afraid; God’s word says nothing can by any means harm us; if we call upon him he will come to our rescue. Much depends on our relationship with the Lord. What have we made of him, a ‘fire-fighter’ who responds only to emergencies? Or does he know us by name because we have shown him how much we care about him? Again the psalmist says: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.” (Psalm 91:14-15)
God will honour our engagements based on our relationship with him and his word. We can count on him because it is a relationship built on mutual trust. I do not know what or who your giant is at this time but if you should give it or him any regard, you have been defeated. The more you spend time elevating the giant and giving less attention to God, the more you are bound to stumble. God says in his Word, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14) Provide an answer to that question yourself and your fears will either be allayed or be aggravated.
Is your giant your health, your personal security, your finances, your family or your job? Our God answers to the name Jehovah Rapha – the God who heals; we call him Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides. Ever called upon him as Jehovah Shalom, then your peace is secured. Jehovah Shamma – ‘the Lord is there’ is one of his namesamongst many others. For every situation you can imagine he is the God for that circumstance.
