Big

Title: Big

There was only one word to describe my father when I was 5 years old and that word was Big! I realized this truth on more than one occasion when I tried to walk in his shoes, put on his shirts and look like him. Maybe every boy does this at some time or another or possibly I’m just weird. Regardless, that’s when I understood there is a size differential between people.

According to one dictionary the word ‘BIG” means: large, sizable, substantial, great, huge, immense, enormous, extensive, colossal, massive, mammoth, vast, tremendous, monumental, mighty, gargantuan, gigantic, giant etc.

There is a contrast between big and small seen in a historical narrative within the books of the Bible and it’s about a boy named David and a man named Goliath. This might be one of the best-known accounts in the entire Bible.

It’s a story about a young boy who faced a crisis of mammoth proportions. A gigantic and massive person named Goliath challenged David to a battle that would ultimately determine the outcome of a war. If there were an Ultimate Fighting Championship, this would have been it! The results seemed predictable but even though Goliath was more powerful, more experienced and much larger in stature, David overcame the odds, rose to the occasion and triumphed convincingly. His victory opened the door for His country to experience freedom from persecution and provided an opportunity for unadulterated celebration.

When a person is confronted with things bigger than he or she is – the possibility of fear and a spirit of intimidation can grip the heart and cloud the thinking. Paul the Apostle said these words:

2Tim. 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power love and self-discipline.”

David wasn’t afraid. Here are 3 reasons:

1. David walked in obedience because he loved God.

God used his obedience as His pen to write David’s future. Walking in obedience prepares you for battles bigger than you! When you follow God’s lead, give heed to His instruction and walk in accordance to His Word you will triumph over your gigantic challenges.

2. David walked in humility while his opponent stood in arrogance and pride.

James 4:6,  “God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.”

3. David depended upon God and not his own abilities.

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

David’s victory was not recorded to communicate mere information. It was written to help all of us gain insight and courage. Victory over the ‘bigger than you’ challenges is possible for you and me if we follow in David’s footsteps and place our confidence in the Lord.

Have you ever been confronted with things bigger than you? Maybe your debt has become a giant and seems insurmountable. Possibly you have lost your job and the very thought of training for a new career seems overwhelming.

We all encounter times when we feel like underdogs, facing insurmountable odds? If you humbly walk in obedience to God’s word, remain confident in His strength and stand in faith, you can face the big things in life with the assurance that God will fight on your behalf and show you the practical steps to victory. The ‘BIG’ things may be larger than you but they are smaller than God.