When you face your giants, remember David wasn’t just a shepherd boy—he was a giant slayer who stepped into his purpose with COURAGE. Don’t let fear hold you back from your destiny!
In a world full of uncertainty, how do we remain steadfast? The story of David and Goliath provides powerful insights into standing firm when everything around us seems to be shaking.
David was a young shepherd who visited his brothers serving in the army. There, he encountered Goliath, a massive Philistine warrior who was bullying and threatening the Israelites. Goliath challenged Israel to send one man to fight him – if Goliath won, the Israelites would serve the Philistines, but if the Israelite champion won, the Philistines would serve Israel.
While King Saul and his entire army were “dismayed and greatly afraid,” David stepped up. Despite being young, small, and not a trained warrior, David faced the giant with just a slingshot and a few stones. With one perfectly aimed shot to Goliath’s forehead, David defeated the giant.
David’s story resonates because he was:
This tells us that God uses everyday people and everyday experiences to prepare us for greatness. You don’t need to be the “baddest” person around to be used by God.
Standing strong in a shaky world requires three key elements:
David didn’t let fear stop him. He saw the giant, heard the threats, and still stepped forward. In 1 Samuel 17:37, David declared, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Your giants might be different – peer pressure, anxiety, identity struggles, or social expectations – but courage rooted in faith will help you stand strong against them.
David was confident in his own strength, in God’s power, and in his purpose. True confidence comes from knowing who you are in Christ – not from popularity, appearance, or social media likes.
There’s a crucial difference between knowing who you are (your identity) and knowing whose you are (belonging to God). David understood both, which gave him unshakable confidence.
David was called for more than tending sheep. He stepped into his divine assignment even when others doubted him. 1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.”
You have a unique calling that no one else has. Don’t let your age or other people’s opinions dictate your destiny or stop you from walking in your passion and purpose.
Many successful people began walking in their purpose at a young age:
But remember – it’s never too late to discover and walk in your purpose, regardless of your age.
When faced with challenges, we have a choice. We can be like Saul’s army, who stepped back in fear, or we can be like David, who stepped up with courage.
The question is: Do you want to be among those who retreat when challenges come, or do you want to be the one who advances with courage, confidence, and purpose?
This week, identify the “giants” in your life – those challenges, fears, or obstacles that seem overwhelming. Then apply the three C’s:
Remember, standing strong doesn’t mean the ground won’t shake – it means you won’t be shaken when it does. With courage, confidence, and a commitment to your calling, you can remain unshaken in a shaky world.
Day 1: Facing Your Giants with Courage
Devotional
We live in a world filled with uncertainty. From school pressures to community challenges, shakiness surrounds us. Yet in the midst of this instability, God calls us to stand strong.
The story of David and Goliath reminds us that courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about moving forward despite our fears. When an entire army trembled before Goliath, young David stepped forward. He wasn’t special by worldly standards—just a shepherd boy with simple tools. But David possessed something powerful: courage rooted in faith.
What giants are you facing today? Perhaps it’s peer pressure pushing you toward choices that compromise your values. Maybe it’s anxiety about your future or the struggle to maintain your identity when everyone expects you to conform. These giants may seem overwhelming, but like David, you don’t face them alone.
Courage doesn’t mean you never feel afraid. It means you refuse to let fear paralyze you. David didn’t deny Goliath’s intimidating presence—he acknowledged the giant but focused more on God’s faithfulness. His past experiences with God’s protection gave him confidence for his present challenge.
Today, take a moment to identify your personal giant. Then, instead of focusing on its size, remember who stands with you. The same God who helped David defeat Goliath walks with you through every challenge.
Bible Verse
“When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:48
Reflection Question
What is the biggest ‘giant’ you’re facing right now, and what would it look like to take one courageous step toward it today rather than running from it?
Quote
“You may face giants, you may face peer pressure, you may face anxiety. You may face identity struggles. I’m talking about when you trying to be like somebody else, you trying to look like somebody else. You may face social expectations where people are expecting you to do something for them. You may face all of that stuff. That’s your giant.”
Prayer
God, give me the courage to face my giants today. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that You are bigger than any challenge I encounter. Help me to run toward my battles with confidence, knowing You go before me. Amen.
Day 2: Confidence in Your True Identity
Devotional
In a world obsessed with image and validation, finding true confidence can feel impossible. We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what we should look like, how many followers we should have, and what success means. But David’s story offers a refreshing perspective on confidence.
David wasn’t chosen because of his impressive appearance or social status. In fact, he was overlooked by his own family! Yet God saw something in David that others missed. His confidence didn’t come from external validation but from knowing who he was and, more importantly, whose he was.
True confidence is grounded in understanding your identity in Christ. It’s not about your popularity, appearance, or achievements. It’s about recognizing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who knows you intimately and loves you completely.
When David faced Goliath, he didn’t try to be someone he wasn’t. He refused King Saul’s armor because it wasn’t authentic to who he was. Instead, he embraced his identity as a shepherd and used the skills God had already developed in him.
Today, resist the temptation to find your worth in likes, followers, or others’ opinions. Instead, remember that you belong to God. You are chosen, loved, and equipped with unique gifts for a specific purpose. That knowledge provides a confidence that no giant can shake.
Bible Verse
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you seeking validation from others rather than finding confidence in your identity as God’s beloved child?
Quote
“You got to know who you are. You heard this before. Come on. And you gotta know whose you are. Wow. What’s the difference? Come on. You got to know who you are. I got to know that I’m Pastor John. I got to know that I’m confident. I got to know that I’m courageous. I also got to know whose I am. I got to know that I belong to God.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me find my confidence in You alone. When I’m tempted to seek validation from others, remind me that I am Yours. Thank You for creating me with purpose and for loving me completely. Help me to live authentically from the identity You’ve given me. Amen.
Day 3: Discovering Your Divine Calling
Devotional
Each of us has a unique calling from God—a divine purpose that no one else can fulfill exactly as we can. David wasn’t just randomly successful against Goliath; he was walking in his calling. Though young and seemingly unprepared for battle, David was exactly where God wanted him to be.
Your calling isn’t necessarily about a specific career or role. It’s about the unique way God wants to use your gifts, experiences, and even your struggles to make a difference in the world. And here’s the beautiful truth: your age doesn’t disqualify you from your purpose.
Think about it—David was just a teenager when he defeated Goliath. Throughout history, God has used young people to accomplish extraordinary things. Bill Gates began coding as a teenager. Oprah started in broadcasting at 16. The Williams sisters began training in tennis at just 4 years old.
But even if you’re older, it’s never too late to discover and pursue your calling. God’s timeline isn’t limited by our cultural expectations about age or experience. The question isn’t whether you have a calling—you absolutely do. The question is whether you’ll have the courage to pursue it.
Today, take time to ask God about your calling. Listen for His guidance. Pay attention to the passions He’s placed in your heart and the gifts He’s given you. Then take one step toward that purpose, trusting that the One who calls you will also equip you.
Bible Verse
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37
Reflection Question
What passions, gifts, or opportunities has God placed in your life that might be pointing toward your unique calling?
Quote
“I don’t care if you 10 years old, 11 years old. There’s a calling on your life. You 30 years old, you 40 years old. That’s in here. There’s a calling on your life. And you got to start reaching out to God. And you got to start talking to him. And you got to ask him, God, what is my calling?”
Prayer
Lord, thank You for creating me with purpose. Help me to discover the unique calling You’ve placed on my life. Give me courage to pursue it wholeheartedly, regardless of my age or what others might think. Use me to make a difference in this world for Your glory. Amen.
Day 4: Prepared Through Everyday Experiences
Devotional
Have you ever wondered why God allows certain experiences in your life? David’s story reveals something profound: God uses ordinary, everyday experiences to prepare us for extraordinary moments.
Before David ever faced Goliath, he spent years as a shepherd—a job considered lowly and insignificant. Yet those years weren’t wasted. While tending sheep, David developed courage fighting off lions and bears. He perfected his skill with a sling. He learned to be responsible for others and to trust God in solitary moments.
When the moment came to face Goliath, David didn’t suddenly become brave or skilled. He simply applied what he had already learned through his everyday experiences. What seemed like mundane preparation became the exact training he needed for his defining moment.
Your current circumstances—whether they feel significant or not—are part of God’s preparation process. That class you’re taking, that entry-level job, that volunteer position, even those challenges you’re facing—all can be training ground for future opportunities.
God doesn’t need you to be the “baddest joker on the block” to use you powerfully. He simply needs you to be faithful where you are, developing character and skills that will serve His purposes. Today, look for the lessons in your current situation. What is God teaching you that might prepare you for something greater?
Bible Verse
“But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.'” – 1 Samuel 17:34-36
Reflection Question
What skills or character qualities is God developing in you through your current circumstances that might be preparation for future challenges or opportunities?
Quote
“God uses everyday people, everyday experience to prepare you for greatness. You ain’t got to be the baddest joker on the block.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to see my everyday experiences through Your eyes. Show me how You’re using my current circumstances to prepare me for future purposes. Give me faithfulness in the small things, knowing that You’re working all things together for good. Thank You for Your perfect preparation. Amen.
Day 5: Stepping Up When Others Step Back
Devotional
When Goliath challenged the Israelite army, an entire force of trained soldiers stepped back in fear. Only David, a shepherd boy, stepped forward with courage. His response reveals the ultimate question we all face in challenging times: Will we step back in fear or step up in faith?
It’s easy to follow the crowd, especially when that crowd includes people with more experience or authority. The soldiers’ fear seemed reasonable—Goliath was intimidating! But David saw beyond the giant to the God who was bigger than any challenge.
In our shaky world, we constantly face this choice. When injustice occurs, will we remain silent or speak up? When someone is being bullied, will we walk away or offer support? When God calls us to something challenging, will we make excuses or move forward in obedience?
Stepping up doesn’t mean we never feel afraid. It means we refuse to let fear make our decisions. It means we choose to trust God’s power more than we fear the giants before us.
David’s boldness didn’t come from self-confidence but from God-confidence. “My God is bigger than that giant,” was his perspective. And that same God walks with you through every challenge you face.
Today, identify one situation where you’ve been stepping back in fear. Then, with God’s help, take one step forward in faith. Your courage might inspire others, just as David’s courage eventually mobilized an entire army.
Bible Verse
“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'” – 1 Samuel 17:45
Reflection Question
What situation in your life is God calling you to step up with courage when others might be stepping back in fear?
Quote
“When people bully you, when. When you’re going through certain things and you’re being bothered, do you want to be those three who step back, or do you want to be this one here who stepped up?”
Prayer
God, give me the courage to step forward when everything in me wants to step back. Help me to see giants through Your eyes, remembering that You are bigger than any challenge I face. Use me to inspire others through my faith and obedience. Thank You for walking with me through every battle. Amen.
