Facing the Giants: When life’s problems seem too big

Memory Verse

Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Introduction

The last straw has been pulled.

You’re sitting in class with an almost-passing grade, trying to keep up, and you’ve just discovered that a major
paper is due in a week. But all you can think about is the fact that you have to work three nights this week and
your neighbor can’t watch your child because her kids are sick. In addition, your mom has threatened one last
time that if you don’t ditch your boyfriend, she’s kicking you out of the house. You really don’t have anywhere
else to stay and can’t afford to rent your own apartment.

Feeling a little helpless?

The phrase, “When it rains, it pours,” doesn’t even begin to describe how you feel. It’s like the whole world is
sitting on your shoulders and you can’t figure out if you’re still standing, kneeling from the pressure, or if your
knees have buckled and you’re lying face down on the ground in defeat.

Discussion

When was the last time you felt under a lot of stress? What was it that seemed so impossible? How did you
handle it?

Read

Psalm 33:12-20

Questions

Verses 13-14: Who does God see?

What do you think this means (verse 16)?

God has full control over everything. He gives us our abilities, and he can also take them away. He gives us our
comforts, and he can also take them away. What do you think verse 17 means?

Written by Melissa Fisher, March 2010

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
During those times, horses could be used during battle or for escape. The writer is telling us that even a horse’s
ability to help us is not guaranteed. God controls the horses. Do you have any “horses” in your life? What kinds
of things do you use as protection or comfort? Money? Education? Beauty? A good job? A boyfriend? What
things give you stability?

Who really controls those “horses?”

Verses 18-19 hold a great promise for those who fear God. They say, “…the eyes of the LORD are on those who
fear him…to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” God is watching over those who fear him.
When circumstances in our life seem to fail us, Philippians 4:13 give us hope: “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.”

How can these verses encourage you?

In Samuel 17, David literally faced a mighty giant. The giant was likely more than double David’s size, wore full-
body armor, had a shield bearer (wouldn’t you hate to have that job?) and a spear with a fifteen-pound arrow on
it. David faced the impossible! But David also knew that he was fighting for God’s people, and that God would
save them no matter what the circumstances. The Israelites, God’s people, had seen the giant and immediately
forgotten about God’s power. But David knew that God would be faithful, and he killed the giant with what little
he had.

What was David’s strength? His size, his weapon, or his God?

What giants are you facing right now?

How can you tap into God’s power to defeat those giants?

Conclusion

The size of the giant (or giants!) that you are facing does not matter. We may view things as impossible, such as
pregnancy, juggling mommy life, work, school or relationships, or a combination of all of these. We view it as a
large “army of men” against “me”-- the army of one. But we forget that, “No king is saved by the size of his army”
(Psalm 33:16). It makes no difference to God, because he can conquer them all. Learn to rely on Him for strength
during these times. He is your only guarantee, and he wants to help you.

Life Application

Write down a “giant” that you are facing in your journal. Remember God’s control, and pray that God will
demonstrate his power and peace in your life today. Write down the memory verse and read it each day.

Written by Melissa Fisher, March 2010

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Further Study

Psalm 121: In what ways does God protect you?

Psalm 40: How do you relate to this psalmist?

Read all of Samuel 17. In what ways do you feel like David? What are the little things in your life that God could
use to fight your big battles?

Written by Melissa Fisher, March 2010

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.