JUST HOW MANY GIANTS CAN ONE PERSON TAKE?

"He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd's bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.." 1 Samuel 17:40 (NLT)

The story of David and Goliath was one of my favorite Bible stories growing up. I thought it was so cool that a shepherd boy had the courage to take on an opponent that was probably over 3 times his size. When I was young, my focus was all on the boy, but as an adult, my focus is not necessarily only on the boy, but on his faith and obedience.

When David went out to face the giant Goliath, he took five smooth stones with him in his shepherd's bag. I wonder why he did that? He was only going out to face one giant. Did he think he had better take four extra stones just in case he missed the first time (or more than once)? If you'll take the time to read 2 Samuel 21:15-22, you'll discover that Goliath had four brothers. When David faced Goliath he was confident that he would have the victory - I don't believe that he was afraid of missing- because he knew that the Lord was with him. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! (1 Samuel 17:46) David knew that the Lord had already delivered Goliath into his hands before he ever faced him. Since he knew that he would kill the giant, he also knew that in doing so he might have to face his brothers who might want revenge. So David took five stones with him- one for Goliath and one for each of his brothers.

Sometimes when we face a "giant" in our lives, it doesn't always come by itself- sometimes it has some "brothers". Sometimes you don't just have one problem, you may have two, or they may come in triplicate. Be on guard, there may be another problem you have to face as a result of the first problem. But know this, it doesn't matter how many "giants" you face, if the Lord delivers you from one, He'll deliver you from them all- just like He did David. David knew when he gathered the stones that if God could take care of one giant with one stone, He could take care of five giants with five stones. If the Lord has defeated one giant on your behalf, He will defeat any more that come your way. Just trust in the Lord like David did—and take enough ammunition!