They may not always be nine feet tall like one man from the Bible named Goliath, but they still show up with loud mouths, heavy pressure, and weapons meant to shut us down.
Goliath was a real man from the enemy army of the Philistines. The Bible says he was over nine feet tall and came out every day to challenge God’s people to fight. His size, his armor, and his threats caused even the strongest soldiers in Israel to shake with fear.
“When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” — 1 Samuel 17:11
That’s what fear does. It makes people hide when they’re supposed to stand. That’s exactly what happened to Israel. Instead of stepping up to fight, the whole army—led by King Saul—hid behind rocks and refused to move.
But God doesn’t want His people living like that. He doesn’t want us cowering in fear every time a problem shows up. He wants us to rise up and trust Him—even when the fight looks impossible.
The Bible calls Goliath a “champion.”
“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” – 1 Samuel 17:4
That word champion means a mighty warrior. Goliath was the world’s idea of a champion—tall, strong, experienced, and loud. But he wasn’t God’s idea of one.
God raised up someone else—a young man named David, who wasn’t a soldier at all. He wasn’t even part of the army. He was a shepherd who showed up to bring food to his brothers and ended up volunteering to fight the giant when no one else would.
And here’s what we learn from his example: no matter what giant you’re facing—whether it’s bad news from the doctor, unpaid bills, broken families, strong temptations, or deep discouragement—the Bible gives us a clear way to win: we must face life’s giants God’s way.
Let’s walk through three things you need to remember if you want to face life’s giants and win.
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1. God’s Champion Isn’t Man’s Choice
When Saul was made king, he looked the part. The Bible says:
“And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” – 1 Samuel 9:2
But just because someone looks like a leader doesn’t mean they are God’s man. Saul ended up being fearful, prideful, and disobedient. He hid when it was time to fight (1 Sam 17:11) and tried to stop David from going forward.
David, on the other hand, was a shepherd boy. He wasn’t even invited to the lineup when Samuel came to anoint the next king. But God said:
“Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
God chose David because He saw a heart full of faith. In today’s world, people are impressed with degrees, resumes, and followers. But God is still looking for a heart that trusts Him.
You don’t have to be the best speaker, the smartest person in the room, or have the best background. God can use a faithful mom, a godly teen, or a humble preacher to do more than a thousand professionals with no faith.
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2. God’s Champion Uses God’s Way
When David stepped up, Saul tried to help by giving him his armor. But David refused. He said:
“I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” – 1 Samuel 17:39
And before that, Saul had already told him:
“Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” – 1 Samuel 17:33
In other words, “You can’t do this. You’re too young. He’s too trained.” But David didn’t let that stop him. He used what he knew—a sling and a stone. That was God’s way.
It looked foolish to man. Goliath even mocked him. But God loves using what the world calls foolish.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” – 1 Corinthians 1:27a
This is like someone trying to fight a fighter jet with a shotgun. Doesn’t make sense—until God gets involved. The world says you need money, connections, and charm. But God says you need obedience, prayer, and truth.
Don’t copy man’s methods. Use God’s way. The Word of God, prayer, church, and faith still work. The sling may look simple, but it brings down giants when it’s in God’s hand.
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3. God’s Champion Turns Fear Into Fight
Goliath’s sword scared everyone. Nobody wanted to get close to it. But after David dropped Goliath with a stone, what did he do?
“Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith.” – 1 Samuel 17:51
David used Goliath’s own sword to finish the fight. The very thing that brought fear to all of Israel became a tool in the hand of a champion.
Even later in his life, when David was running from Saul and had no weapon, he asked the priest if any weapon was available. Guess what weapon they gave him?
“The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here… And David said, There is none like that; give it me.” – 1 Samuel 21:9
It wasn’t just a sword—it was a reminder of what God could do through faith. A trophy of God’s power.
What used to scare you can become part of your testimony. God can take the very thing the devil used to break you, and turn it into a weapon in your hand.
Maybe you used to struggle with anger, addiction, or fear. Now you’re helping others beat it too. You’ve got Goliath’s sword in your hands.
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Be God’s Champion
God isn’t looking for the tallest, strongest, or loudest person in the room. He’s looking for someone who will trust Him, obey His way, and fight with faith.
Don’t be like Saul, full of excuses. Be like David, full of God.Giants still fall—but only when we face them God’s way.
