Here Comes Another Giant!

II Samuel 21:15-22 (NLT) – Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted. 16 Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?” 18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants. 19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam! 20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants. 21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. 22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them. 

Psalm 34:19 (KJV) – Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. 

Like many if not all of you, my family and I have experienced several losses this year.  From my Bishop, and his wife (less than thirty days apart), to my sister (a month prior to our Bishop), to one of our dearest volunteers (I was informed while driving from my sister’s homegoing to my Bishop’s service).  There seems to be no end in sight. 

Some of our parishioners have been infected with COVID-19, but praise be to God that He healed them.  We have seen unemployment skyrocket, our nation’s economy crash, and unprecedented civil unrest.  Our government officials seem ill-equipped to handle any issue as they argue and debate over simple topics like the importance of wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.  When will it end?  How much more can we take?  Does God even care about us?  Or has He totally abandoned us?  As usual, I found my answer in the Word of the Lord. 

Most of you are no doubt familiar with the account in the Bible of young David and his battle to defeat the Philistine giant named Goliath (I Samuel 17).  Perhaps you recall in preparation for the battle, David went down to the brook and selected “five smooth stones”.  If you read the story, David only used one of the stones to defeat the mighty foe.  However, after becoming the king of Israel, David had many more battles and faced many more “giants”. 

In the referenced scripture, King David continued going to war and engage in battle as he advanced in years.  The scriptures tell us that the king faced Ishbi-benob, a descendant of the giants.  Apparently, this time David was about to be killed, but God sent reinforcement in the way of Abishai who saved David’s life.  But there is more.  The Bible goes on to name three more giants that David faced:  Saph and two of Goliath’s brother (one of which was huge and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot).  There are a few points I would like to emphasize.  (1) There were four giants mentioned – the same number of stones David had left over from his first battle with Goliath.  God never wastes anything.  (2) David defeated all these giants, but he had help from his soldiers.  God will always send the help that you need.  (3) The giants kept coming. 

My friends, during these trying and seemingly unending days of grief and challenges, do not be dismayed.  The scriptures foretold that the righteous would endure many afflictions, but God would deliver us out of them all! 

The giants will keep coming, but God will give us the victory!!