Don’t you just hate him? He deserves no mention. But reality plops him right before us. And to make it worse, his presence invades our life with daring boldness precisely when God is working something good through us.

You know who I’m talking about. Here’s a disgusting example of his audacity: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” (Job 1:6-7)

Did he say ‘the earth?’ Gulp. Friend, you and I are on that same earth on which he roams. And we need to watch out because “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

He’s probably licking his lips, staring at us. I’m not about to become his lunch or spiritual snack, are you? Of course not; we’ll resist him to the end. But here’s a bit of sobering news: the battle is not easy. He can be crafty, deceptive, and vicious and yes, he can fill our heart and mind with lies. He’s the master at them. And, as the Bible says, he’s “the father of lies.”

David knew this. Remember him as a boy? He was scrawny, a bit of a shy kid, the youngest of his brothers and probably voted the “least likely to succeed” in the senior class of the local Shepherd high school.

But even as a teen, a bit smelly of sheep wool and with mud caked on his sandals, he had a powerful message for me and you.

When God chose him to defeat Goliath, the enemy tried to whisper lies through opposition that came from all sides. His brothers chorused discouragement, people shook their heads doubting his abilities, King Saul scratched his head with bewilderment, and when Goliath saw David’s size, he laughed at him.

But David had a plan. He quickly took off the armor King Saul had given him. The metals and chains were way too cumbersome for his thin body. Instead, he put into practice the plan that defies logic.

It was the same one he had used to bring down those mean bears and lions. He had the weapon—not a rifle, a shotgun, a knife or sword. And he didn’t trust in the smooth rocks in his sling either. He trusted in a greater and mightier weapon—the power of God.

Have you faced those giants that loom over you? They mock your courage and laugh at your faith? The lies from the enemy fuel your fear.

The lies that say your 2-inch faith is no match for the 9 foot giant of troubles you face. The deception that repeats you’ll never see relief, healing or triumph.

We’ve all faced that at one time or another. In desperation, we put on that armor—belief and trust in our own abilities, wisdom, and solutions. But dragging ourselves to the battlefield, we find that human armor hinders us; it’s too heavy with pride.

Amigas, that’s when you and I do what David did: We shed that prideful armor and pull out our best weapon. David was bold as we should be, he’s defiant like we have to be, and he’s truthful to declare to whom belongs the victory.

“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…” (1 Samuel 17: 45)

Did you read that? The God David spoke about is not just any god, He’s the Lord almighty, creator of the universe, and immensely powerful.

Troubles can come from all sides bearing the sword of anguish, the spear of anxiety and the javelin of fear. But you and I, amigas, come in the name of the Lord–with confidence, with resolve and trust that through Christ, the victory is already won.

And holding the smooth stones of faith, bearing the spiritual weapon of God’s faithfulness, we can face any giant in the name of the Lord.

While you read this, what giant looms over you right now? And…are Satan’s lies ringing in your ears, or is God’s truth resonating in your heart?

I had to make that choice. In his devious craftiness, he lied to me when he said I’d never find peace after my son was killed. But his lies are no match for God’s truth, To God’s power of restoring what was broken, to heal that which seared, and to defeat the giant who threatens our peace.

To the world, our problems seem gigantic, to God they are miniscule.

“We all have a choice: either to live hoping for blessings, or bless the hope we already have in Christ.” — Janet

Janet Eckles jeckles@cfl.rr.com http://www.janetperezeckles.com/