It's always the tough times of life that show us what we're really made of. A challenging crisis has a way of revealing the true nature of our lives. It's rather easy to project an image of strength, power, and sufficiency when not under stress. But let a giant lift its head, and it causes a stir that forces to the surface the true condition of our walk with the Lord.

Jesus, immediately after His baptism, faced a great test (Luke 4:1-13). He was not released to Spirit-anointed ministry until His life passed through the wilderness of temptation. Our experience, as well, becomes one of the things that qualify us for battling giants. A man who doesn't pray in private won't effectively pray in public. A woman who doesn't prophesy at home won't speak as a prophet at a gathering of saints. A person who is gifted at putting his foot in his mouth all week won't qualify to speak a word of wisdom on Sunday. It was quietly, or privately, tending sheep on the other side of the mountain, doing the small things, which qualified David for visible challenges and victory over Goliath. With David, experience became the basis for his conquest.

I don't consider myself a great giant killer. But I've learned that the things I'm successfully dealing with now add character and strength that are the foundation for my life and future. One of the reasons for consistent defeat is that we've never learned to battle our own giants. Children are rarely taught to rise up and deal with their battles through their faith. It's no wonder that, when they grow up, they're in no position to adequately deal with anything, because we've done all their fighting for them. Obviously, there's a time when we fight together, but I think you sense the balance. I vote for dealing with the giants that proudly strut through our land . . . the giants of greed, covetousness, and lust; and, oh, how long the list goes on.

When the adversary challenges you, it is then that he has made himself most vulnerable. In killing Goliath, David used the giant's own sword. It is in the midst of a marriage difficulty that Satan has made himself most vulnerable to you. It's when you're in the middle of a financial crisis that the adversary has set himself up to be conquered. Let the times of challenge become a potential season of victory! Take advantage of those times! It was at the death of Jesus that Satan experienced the full weight of the cross. He opened himself up to the power of the cross that gives victory over death, hell, and the grave. "Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world," I John 4:4.

Battling Giants,

Pastor Ron