(God Is Bigger Than Any Troubles I Face)
I. David’s Giants vs God
When David was still just a young man (youth), his faith in God was tremendous. He knew, beyond a shadow of a
doubt, that he followed and trusted the true Living God, and that his God could do anything. He knew that God would
deliver His faithful servants from any harm that might befall them if they would only ask, and believe.
As you read the account of David meeting Goliath on the battlefield, you see a small young man, ridiculed by the giant
standing before him. David’s faith, and his trust in God to use him to overcome this terror would prove to be the
downfall of the Philistines, and their giant champion (on this day).
As the rest of Saul’s army trembled in fear at the sight of Goliath, David couldn’t understand why the army of the true
Living God was so scared of a mere man. That’s how David saw Goliath – as a mere man (just a little bigger than
most). He knew that God could deliver this giant into the hands of Saul’s army, if they would only ask, and believe!
God had a plan! He would show, beyond a doubt, that He was the deliverer of Israel that day. He chose David, a mere
youth who was not seasoned in battle, and not respected as a warrior by the army of Israel to go forth and show the
Israelites just how much He controlled the situation.
Another great aspect of David’s faith was to watch as he tossed off Saul’s armor, literally going forth into battle
unprotected. He knew that he did not need any type of man’s protection (armor) because God would protect him, and
deliver Goliath into his hands on this day.
David collected 5 smooth stones. Ever wonder why he picked 5 stones when 1 would have sufficed? Did he think that
he was going to get, or need 5 shots at this giant? Actually, David, not knowing so at this time, would face 4 more
giants. David, or his household, would confront, and destroy 4 more giants that were related to Goliath. He did not use
stones the other times, but the stones were symbolic, representing that God had already delivered the other giants
into the hands of David simply because of his faith and his trust in Him. Not only did He deliver Goliath to David, but
Goliath’s family also.
David did not care about himself, nor his possessions. All he cared about was serving God, and letting God use him to
show the people of Israel that He was indeed the Living God who protected Israel. Nothing else mattered to David
except serving God. He was confident that God would protect him, and he went forth and served God with everything
he had.
I Samuel 17:33 – 51
33And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a
man of war from his youth.” 34But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion
or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its
mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36Your servant has killed both
lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the Living
God.” 37Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
38So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of
mail. 39David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I
cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
40Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a
shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41So the
Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42And when the
Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43So the
Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the
field!” 45Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come
to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the
LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the
carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may
know that there is a God in Israel. 47Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and
spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands.” 48So it was, when the Philistine arose and
came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49Then David put
his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the
stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling
and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51Therefore David
ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.
And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled!
II. Job’s Monsters vs God
Now we get to Job. Here is a man that was truly one of God’s own. He loved God with all his heart, worshipped Him
daily, and kept the Laws of God. God protected Job with a hedge of protection, but Satan wanted Job tested to prove
his faith.
Once all of the troubles hit Job, he stood fast in his beliefs and his love for God. Then things got worse - much worse.
Jobs friends went against him, his wife went against him, he lost his possessions, his family, his house, - he lost
everything!
God came to Job and showed him how silly it was for Job to let these burdens, problems, and disasters overtake him.
He gave him a lesson in letting God take care of the problems, and keeping the faith. As God said, What could stand
against Him?
Job, upon finally realizing just how powerful and great the God he served is, broke down and confessed that until now,
he had never truly known God. He had heard of Him, and knew OF Him, but had never truly seen Him or grown close
to Him. In a state of repentance for being so ignorant, he told God that he now understood how silly it was to not let
God take care of all these problems, and that everything that happens is known by God.
Job 40:15 – 41:10
15 “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox.
16See now, his strength is in his hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles.
17He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs like bars of iron.
19He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword.
20Surely the mountains yield food for him, And all the beasts of the field play there.
21He lies under the lotus trees, In a covert of reeds and marsh.
22The lotus trees cover him with their shade; The willows by the brook surround him.
23Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed;
He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth, 24Though he takes it in his eyes,
Or one pierces his nose with a snare. 1“Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook,
Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? 2Can you put a reed through his nose,
Or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3Will he make many supplications to you?
Will he speak softly to you? 4Will he make a covenant with you?
Will you take him as a servant forever? 5Will you play with him as with a bird,
Or will you leash him for your maidens? 6Will your companions make a banquet of him?
Will they apportion him among the merchants?
7Can you fill his skin with harpoons, Or his head with fishing spears?
8Lay your hand on him; Remember the battle— Never do it again!
9Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; Shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him?
10No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me?
Job 42:1 - 3 and 5 - 6
1Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You. 6Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”
III. Daniel’s Monsters vs God
Daniel was a devoted follower of God. No doubt about it. He loved God, trusted God with everything in his life, and
worshipped God no matter what.
Daniel had favor with King Darius, and Darius made it a point to reward Daniel every chance he got. Darius made
Daniel one of three Governors over his lands. The governors were over the provincial rulers (satraps or Princes), and
all of the satraps (or Princes) had to answer to the governors. Darius was so impressed by Daniel’s virtues and
righteousness that he wanted to make Daniel THE head Governor over everything (kind of like Joseph being over
everything in Egypt, and answering only to the Pharaoh). Daniel would have been second in command of all of Darius’
lands, wealth, holdings, etc… Daniel would have only answered to the King himself.
Now the other satraps (or Princes) and governors didn’t like this prospect. Knowing how this all turns out, it’s a safe
bet to say that these men didn’t want Daniel in charge because he would have noticed, and done something about
their stealing, treachery, etc… You can bet these guys were ripping off the King for self gain, and didn’t like the idea
of someone watching over them that they couldn’t get “on board” with them. Daniel could not be bribed, coerced, or
forced to do anything other than what was right. Since he served King Darius, he would have most assuredly looked
after the King’s best interest. In the eyes and minds of these satraps and governors, Daniel had to go.
So… these men conspired to get rid of Daniel. They tried to trash him, but could find no fault. They then decided to do
whatever it took to get him out of the way. So they conspired to get the King to decry and edict that would forbid any
man to call upon any God for the next forty days, except for the King himself. Any man that did would be tossed into
the Lion’s Den. This was a death sentence, and a cruel and horrible death to go through. They not only wanted Daniel
dead, they wanted him to suffer and be afraid. They knew of Daniels’ devotion to God, and they knew that he would
call upon his God just like he always did. It was a sure thing in their eyes.
Now Daniel knew what was going on, but he didn’t let it stop him. He could have easily gone forty days without calling
upon God, or called upon God in private, staying hidden from sight. But he didn’t. He did what he always did – he
prayed to, worshipped, and called upon God out in the open just like he always did. These men came and saw him,
and reported this to the King. The King had no choice but to follow the law and have Daniel tossed into the Lion’s Den.
It’s worth mentioning that Daniel had so much favor in this King’s heart that the King tried all day and night to get
Daniel out of this mess that he himself had caused (by signing such a stupid edict in the first place). But, the law was in
the favor of the evil men.
The King had Daniel put into the Lion’s Den, then had a stone rolled over the entrance and sealed (this prevented
anyone from intervening without being noticed). Then the King went back to his palace with a very heavy and
saddened heart.
At first light the next morning, the King jumped up and ran to the mouth of the Lion’s Den. He lamented (cried with
great sorrow) loudly to Daniel, asking if his God had allowed him to survive. Daniel yelled back that he was fine. When
the stone was rolled away, Daniel told the King that angels had come and held the mouths of the lions, and prevented
him from being harmed. The king, and all those around, noticed that Daniel did not have a scratch on him.
Daniel had risked his life, knowing full well that calling upon God would cost him his life. He didn’t care. His life was
meaningless in comparison to his relationship with God. He would not let anything get in the way of his relationship
with God – not even the threat of death!
Daniel 6:1 – 24
1It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps (rulers, leaders, provincial rulers), to be
over the whole kingdom; 2and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give
account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors
and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
4So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find
no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5Then these men said, “We
shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7All the
governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to
establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you,
O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be
changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9Therefore King Darius signed the
written decree. 10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his
windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before
his God, as was his custom since early days. 11Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making
supplication before his God. 12And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not
signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into
the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians,
which does not alter.” 13So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from
Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three
times a day.” 14And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on
Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15Then these men approached the
king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which
the king establishes may be changed.” 16So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into
the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
17Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with
the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
18Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his
sleep went from him. 19Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20And
when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel,
servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they
have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So
Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
24And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the
den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces
before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
IV. Ending
Now what makes us any different than these great men of the Bible? Do we share in their joy of a personal relationship
with God? Do we truly know, and trust that God will take care of us, protecting us against our monsters and giants?
When He allows these monsters and giants to come upon us, are we able to lift His name up, and rejoice in our
closeness with him?
When we are at a point where we can let go, and trust with all of our hearts that God is in control of the situation(s),
then we are at a point in our lives where we truly have a close, personal relationship with him. When nothing else
matters except Him, then we can truly say that our relationship with him is a close one.
How do you stand up when trouble hits?
Philippians 4:4 – 8
4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is
anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
II Corinthians 4:7-9
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8We are
hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed—