There once were two armies encamped on either side of a valley. They were to face off against one another, but the battle was postponed each day. On one side was an army of fighting men from a nation known historically for their victories in battle. Their victories had been credited to their God. On the other side was an army of strong fighting men, each one three and four feet taller than their opponents. From this camp each morning a lone warrior would walk into the valley and challenge the other army to send out its greatest warrior to do battle. But each day not one of the soldiers would go out to do battle with this giant.
Then one day a young teenage boy came to the camp, bringing provisions for his brothers. He was astounded to find that not one man in this camp would trust their God to deliver the giant into their hands, giving them victory over the other army. Trusting his God this young boy took on the giant himself, not with a sword and shield. Not with a bow and arrow, the weapons of the time. He was not practiced in the use of these weapons.
This young boy walked out of the camp to face the giant with nothing but a sling. Bending over he picked up five smooth stones (4 more than he needed). He placed a single stone in his sling, twirled it over his head a few times and let the stone fly. It struck the giant in the forehead and killed him instantly. After he had killed this giant his nation’s army were emboldened to chase after the army of remaining giants who fled in fear.
The moral of this story is not to kill someone, but that it only takes one man (or boy, woman, girl) with courage and belief to accomplish the desired task. Thomas Jefferson once said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” With his courage, this young teenage boy saw victory where all the other soldiers and their king saw giants. Courage can overcome the giants in your life. When you add courage with a belief in the true God, all things are possible – according to His will.
Facing the giants in your life as a leader, housewife, student, factory worker or any other position, requires courage. The courage you display could also encourage and embolden others.
First, you must make the commitment to step out into the valley where the giant stands.
Second, go with the arsenal you are familiar with, the gifts and strengths with which God has blessed you.
Third, put to use, to the best of your ability, what God has given you.
What will you do this week to demonstrate courage against the giants in your life? And how will you embolden others to do the same? Remember, “One man with courage makes a majority.”
George Yates is the Church Health Strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, assisting churches and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Learn more at ALSBOM.org/revitalization.
