## David's Other Giants

## II Samuel 21:15-22

There are many Old Testament accounts that we read not just for information, but also for application. One of the greatest is the story of David and Goliath. We have heard that story since we were children and the applications are many. We can see that God is not limited by the individual's physical size and strength. We learn that it is important to be ourselves and not try to be like someone else. We also learn the importance of trusting in God's power and not in our own wisdom. The list could go on and on. Perhaps one that we can identify with is that our lives are filled with battles and obstacles that seem too large for us to overcome in our own strength.

There is certainly much that we can learn from the life of David. We learn that conflict is inevitable when we plan to take God seriously and serve Him throughout our life. Goliath was not the only giant that David had to deal with. Note our text this evening. 2 Samuel 21:15-22.

I. The Battle Spans a Lifetime.

A. David was only a lad of perhaps twelve years when he slew Goliath.

B. Now he is an older man who had fought many battles, but there were still giants he had to face.

C. There is no time that we can let down our guard.

1. Look around and you can find those who have been saved for many years.

2. Those who know the Word of God and have faithfully served Him.

3. None of us are untouchable!

4. We are all made of the same flesh and are all vulnerable to the enemies attacks!

5. The key isn't so much the victory as it is the knowledge that the battle continues!

D. We will be facing giants until the Lord calls us home or until He returns.

II. Yesterday's Victories Will Not Kill Today's Giants.

A. David's victory over Goliath was a great victory for the people of God.

1. It serves as a tremendous example to all of us even today.

2. But it was a one victory in the continuing battle of David's life.

3. All of us have known similar victories and mountain top experiences, but they are in the past.

4. David looked back to the times when God delivered him from the bear and the lion and found encouragement to fight Goliath.

5. But he still had to go out on the battlefield and meet him face-to-face!

B. Grace Baptist Temple has known some great victories!

1. Twenty years ago we averaged 314 in Sunday school for the month of March!

2. This year we averaged about 200 less han that.

3. We cannot rest upon the past and expect old battles to give us the victory today!

4. It will not be satisfactory for us to sit back and say, "Boy we used to ...."

5. We can look back and say, "God did it before and we believe that He will do it again!"

6. But we have to get out on the battlefield and be willing to face the giants again!

C. Make it personal.

1. Recall some of the great victories that God has enabled you to enjoy.

2. Let's use those memories to challenge ourselves to go out and do it again!

3. What is keeping you from enjoying God's victory in your life?

III. All the Giants Are Related, But They Are Not All the Same.

A. Note the number of giants David and his men had to face.

1. Ishbi-benob in v16

2. Saph in v18

3. Lahmi in v19 (cf 1Ch. 20:5)

4. Unnamed giant with six toes and six fingers.

B. They were all sons of the giant.

1. They were brothers of Goliath.

2. Someone had said that was why David initially picked out five stones in the first place.

3. All were giants, but they each fought differently.

C. David couldn't fight them all.

1. He killed Goliath alone, but needed help with Ishbi-benob.

2. The rest were killed by David's men.

3. We need to be ready to bear one another's burdens, and be ready to seek help!

4. We must prepare to pass the battle on to those whom we have trained. v17

One thing is for certain: the battle isn't over yet! We have won some victories, but there are many more battles left to fight. God can and will give us the victory! Are you having difficulty fighting the giants in your life? Maybe you could use some help?

Note: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12