Did you know that King David had the opportunity to square off with giants on multiple occasions? While the sling wielding encounter with the “trash talking” enemy described in I Samuel 17 gets the bulk of the sermon headings, there were others that confronted the king throughout his life. In particular, the second book of Samuel, the 21st chapter, describes a nameless giant.
“there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number”
This giant taunted the people of God as well. But it’s his physical description that has riveted a lesson home for me. A giant, outrageous in size, and unrelenting in grasp. Six fingers on each hand will do that for you. This is an enemy that won’t simply let go with a casual flick of the wrist. I picture a man that was the human equivalent of a “Vise-Grip.” And when I picture the challenge of 2 Samuel 21, I picture the powerful, persistent and painful enemy that confronts me. In a word, worry.
In fact, there are days when I’m convinced that this giant actually grows additional fingers overnight. There are phone calls, or conversations, or reports that seem to define in clearer terms just how daunting the situation is.
Much like David, this takes me to a place where I need help. Unlike the battle with Goliath, David didn’t single handedly defeat this giant. Actually his nephew, the son of his brother, stepped into the fray. His name was Jonathan, and although we don’t know a great deal about him, we know that he “struck him down.” He intervened. He confronted the “vise-grip,” on behalf of his Uncle, on behalf of his God.
Like David, my plea for help is not ignored. The worry that at times squeezes so tightly is confronted, head on, by others that stand beside me. By others that have more faith, others that have less fear, others that know much better, the power of our God.
I can’t fight this giant alone. God never intended for me to. Family and friends become warriors and comrades. Their courage applied is to my battle, and God works. In them, with them, through them, to liberate and love.
There is no enemy, there is no grip that confounds our God, that overwhelms His people. Together! Releasing the captive, for the sake of the King.
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