Facing The Giants
I was reminded recently of a situation that seemed to have largely been dealt with a few months ago, save some (relatively) minor hiccups here and there. As it showed up again in a seemingly innocuous manner, I shook my head mentally and told myself in no uncertain terms, “That head has got to go!”
Anyone who has witnessed the African method of slaughtering poultry or snakes understands what that statement means. Striking the animal without completely severing the head will result in a thrashing, blood splashing, partially decollated body which leaves a revolting mess in its wake. Such violent resistance is what ensues when death is not accomplished at the first blow (my apologies to anyone who is faint of stomach, vivid with imagination, or activist along animal lines; I do not mean to nauseate, be insensitive, or insult, but to give proper context). Until its injuries take full effect and the creature finally succumbs, these violent movements and accompanying bloodbaths can go on for a while, leaving the observer unnerved and with the added responsibility of a thorough cleaning in the aftermath. In the instances where the connecting blood vessels are incompletely severed (more often in the case of snakes), the animal may actually survive the assault and go on to live an extended life, rendering the initial death blow a waste of time, energy and intent. If such a creature must truly die, the slaughterer must strike to kill, or at the very least, remain unrelenting in his efforts to do so until the goal is achieved. Such is the case with unfinished spiritual battles.
“So I run with a clear target in mind; I fight with a clear purpose … my unrelenting goal is to win ...” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Brandishing Battles
Remember when David took Goliath down? Had he been satisfied to throw just the one stone, see the giant fall and leave it at that, we would not have the story of triumph we do today. More than likely, and given an adequate period of convalescence, Goliath would have recovered from his concussion, and more enraged than ever, would have singlehandedly destroyed Israel’s army in a rabid bid for vengeance. Remember the spiritual battle between the Israelites and the Egyptians, led by Moses and Pharaoh respectively? Several months and ten painful plagues were insufficient to convince Pharaoh that the God of Israel was too dangerous to be trifled with. Each plague caused him to dig his heels even further. The pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night though certainly hair-raising, did not convince him to give up his vendetta; indeed he would never have been satisfied until he recaptured and re-enslaved his former subjugates. It took the national debacle of the massive drowning at the Red Sea to silence the oppressive lust for cheap labor and subservience once and for all.
Remember the battles between Joshua/Israel and Jericho? How about the same involving the five Amorite kings who formed a confederacy against Israel? If Israel had destroyed one of such cities but left the others unchallenged, undefeated and unaddressed, would Bible history be the same today? Were they allowed the luxury of “live and let live,” or were the conditions of the day set to the default mode of “kill or be killed?”
Joash was a king of Israel who dying Elisha told to strike the ground prophetically. Having struck it only thrice, the prophet was upset at him, because this meant Israel would defeat its oppressor only three times. Had the king struck the ground six or seven times, the Israelites would have thoroughly defeated that enemy and wiped them out completely. The three-part strike would only serve to overthrow them temporarily but would not secure the irrevocable victory they required.
Remember the early church? Notable figures such as the Apostles, the women, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, etc., overcame relentless persecutions, sufferings, travails, and adversities so they could defeat the dark forces that had resisted the spread of the greatest story ever told (aka the Gospel). Suppose they were only able to share the Good News in Jerusalem only, ignoring or incapable of fulfilling the rest of the Great Commission to proclaim it to “all the world/the uttermost parts of the earth?” Given the cyclic rise and fall of empires and other patterns of human history, would the Gospel have otherwise endured to this generation?
“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again!” (Exodus 14:13)
Identifying Your Giants
Who or what are giants, metaphorically or spiritually speaking? They are those looming, long-standing, liberty-defying issues of our lives that often appear insurmountable, invincible and interminable. A giant could be any sort of spiritual hindrance to your next season and blessings, a parasitic or unfruitful relationship that has hindered your advancement in life or your walk with God, a paralyzing fear that has stopped you from taking a needed next step, a stagnating boss or job that has obscured and diminished your vision for your glorious future, a bad habit or besetting sin that has strangulated your mind to the point that you have been unable to break free of its grip and move on to the great things God has for you, etc.
Giants attempt to block, obviate or otherwise frustrate God’s plan for our lives, either at certain seasons or for the duration of our earthly existence. The giants of Canaan were intended to prevent Israel’s access to the promised land. Goliath was planted as a mockery to Israel’s army and as a challenge to God’s saving power. Dark spiritual forces are diabolically sent to prevent our upward and forward advancements in life, both spiritually and in the physical realm. In any of these instances, “live and let live” was not an option for God’s people; it was either “kill or be killed;” there was no middle ground. This remains true today; regardless of how things may appear at surface level. If we are not actively advancing in the destruction of our enemies (satan and his goons), they are surely and surreptitiously advancing in our destruction; no question about that!
“Who are you, O great mountain? Before {me} you shall become a plain …” (Zechariah 4:7)
Confronting Your Giants
When I think of giants, particularly spiritual ones, a few choice words come to mind. Below are those I use most frequently in prayer, along with their corresponding scriptural warheads. But before examining those, please consider the following Words echoed by the Creator and Sovereign Lord of the Rings (the real One; see Isaiah 40:22; Proverbs 8:27; Job 9:6; 26:10), so we can learn and take our cue from Him:
Nahum 1:9 –> What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time.
Exodus 17:14 –> Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that “I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
1 Samuel 15:3 –> “Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.”
Why should we face and utterly destroy the giants trailing our lives and destinies? Because God has demonstrated through His Word the need to thoroughly deal with them so we can access and fulfill His glorious plan for our lives. He detests and destroys anything that tries to frustrate and derail those plans; we should as well – passionately, relentlessly, and unequivocally!
“Today the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll kill you and cut off your head. Today I’ll feed the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds of the air and the wild animals. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel!” (1 Samuel 17:46)
Slaying Your Giants: Spiritual Slings, Stones & Swords
We have mentioned a few situations where people went the extra mile to get the needed job done. The Bible is replete with many other examples of finishing off the enemy. We often associate the Mafia and other gangsters with this concept, but forget the fact that part of our calling as God’s representatives on earth is to “finish off” the spiritual forces standing between us and our promised lands, individually, but more importantly, on a Kingdom scale.
Here are a few “finishing off” terminologies for effective giant-slaying:
Subjugate: Psalms 110:1-2; 144:2; 149:7-8; Micah 5:8; Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20; Mark 16:17-18
Desecrate: Jeremiah 1:10; Matthew 15:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:2-3, Exodus 23:24; 34:13
Decimate: Genesis 49:8; Psalms 18:34; 40-48; 46:9; 144:1; Jeremiah 51:20-26
Decapitate: 1 Samuel 17:46; 51; Matthew 15:13; Psalms 75:10; Proverbs 2:22
Annihilate: Isaiah 41:12; 15-16, 10:34; Micah 5:9-15; Psalms 143:12; 101:8
Obliterate: Isaiah 43:14-17; 41:15-16; Deuteronomy 33:27; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 4:7
Confiscate: 1 Samuel 30:8; Job 20:15; Jeremiah 51:44; 30:16-18; Exodus 12:36b
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds …” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Finishing Well, Exiting Strong
2023 has come to an end, and, ready or not, most reading this will (by God’s preserving grace) retain the gift of life, wave away the old and usher in the new year in a few hours. Friend, are you ready to identify, face, and permanently slay your trailing giants? Will you commence your new season with 2023’s baggage and lingering battles, or will you enjoy a fresh start and a clean slate? Do you want to circle the same limiting mountains, fight the same brandishing battles, and face the same recurring challenges, or would you rather cut loose and enjoy the fresh prospects this new era offers?
We do the latter by engaging the warhead of God’s Word and praise (see Psalms 149:7-9, 67:5-6; 68:1; 2 Chronicles 20:22), ensuring that we are in good standing with Him (Acts 24:16; Psalms 66:18-20; 1 John 1:8-9; John 8:29, etc.), and by aligning our hearts, words and actions with His (Hebrews 12:12-17; Psalms 139:23-24; 19:12-14; 25:4). Be sure to confront and kill off those giants with targeted Scriptures as previously illustrated.
May 2024 be a year of fresh opportunities, unimaginable heights, and untold possibilities, and may your unrelenting obliteration of all hindering giants result in a happy, holy and immensely fruitful and glorifying season indeed!
For Your Unrelenting, Giant-Slaying, Transitioning Pleasure
Revelation 19:1 (Maverick City Music)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DyzBOu_liPw&si=K-12kgh4Lg9QU0an
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=yH1FJEQBzss&si=dETKsAr7L9qva658
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=JHX_Wnjymt0&si=Dtq0Qw6PFuA0psHS
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qesfKdKxXl0&si=yTU9YMv1vnJBTj0W
The Story I’ll Tell (Maverick City)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=zjY26wzFm2U&si=66ngFyd9a_N9p_ak