The Loudest Voice

The voice reverberated across the camp. It was loud enough to drown out all other noises and bring all other voices to a halt with its mocking tones. It was humiliating really, the way it caused grown men, seasoned warriors, to cower and cease to fight.

When Goliath’s taunts were heard amongst the army none arose to accept his challenge. None were willing to take on the giant who words defied both Israel and the Living God and whose stature made him seem impossible to defeat. None would silence his arrogant, condescending voice. None, that is, except a young shepherd boy – untrained in the art of war but who understood the power of the God he served. His mind was so full of the truth of the goodness and mightiness of His God that he recognized the giant’s words for what they really were – distractions. Artfully crafted boasts designed to keep the listener’s eyes and ears trained on the massive obstacle in front of them so that they would to be too afraid to move, let alone fight.

But the young shepherd boy was not fooled and with a sling, stone and the power of the Living God, he took down the giant.

So my question for you is what voices are holding you captive and keeping you focused on the giant in front of you? What voices are distracting you from fighting and winning your own battles today?

Because we live in a world that is full of plenty of voices that are vying for our attention. And the devil, the master manipulator, knows exactly how to make sure that his voices are loud enough, bold enough, and confident enough to drown out al other voices if we are not careful. He will play his distractions across the screens and speakers of our homes. He will repeat hurtful words spoken by others in our ears and twist well-intentioned words of family and friends until they seem just as hurtful. He will remind us of our insecurities, regrets, and fears until voice after voice begins to full our attention away from the God we serve and onto the giant before us. And all of the sudden, we will find ourselves frozen and cowering in fear instead of moving forward in victory.

But how do we overcome the voices around us of fear, doubt, shame, bitterness, regret, heartbreak, and more? We can take a look at David who reminded himself of three things before he slew the giant.

First, he reminded himself of the past victories that God had given him. David had never seen combat and he most certainly had not faced a Philistine giant before, but he had defeated both a lion and a bear. He knew that God had given him the victory in the past and he had no reason to doubt this time would be any different.

How many times has God given you victory in the past? How many lions and bears have sought to destroy you and take what you have only for God to bring you out whole and victorious? Like David, we have no reason to double that the battle before us will be any different. The enemy before us might look different than the last, but neither the roar of the lion or the shout of the giant is loud enough to stay the hand of God.

Next, David reminded himself about what his enemy really was. The Israelite army saw Goliath’s armor, excessive size, and heard his arrogant threats and they viewed him as powerful and indestructible. David, however, simply called him the “uncircumcised Philistine.” He did not allow the threats and insults that Goliath hurled at him and Israel to distract him. Instead, he saw Goliath as a man who did not rely on the God of heaven. While others feared his armor and size, David saw it as proof that the giant relied only on his own strength and had no real power.

Now, take a look at your giant. Don’t listen to him. You’ve already heard enough of his lies. Where is he claiming his power comes from? Because from where I stand, our enemy has been stripped of his power. His keys to death, hell, and the grave have already been taken. And despite what he says, for the believer, his hold on both your past and your future are gone. We are told he walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He is loud and can be deafening like a lion, but he is not powerful. His ability to hurt you comes not from himself but from the power you allow him to have when you listen. So take another look, because he is already defeated.

Before he killed the giant, David did one last thing. He reminded himself of the God he was fighting for. He claimed the power of “the Lord of hosts, the God of the Armies of Israel.” He reminded himself not only of God’s power, but that this almighty, powerful God was on his own side. He let it be known that this God would give him the victory over the giant and that all would know He was the Living God.

Do not let the giant’s voice drown out the truth of the God you serve in your own life. Your God is powerful. He is faithful. He is Redeemer and Restorer. He is Deliverer. He is Victorious. And He is the one who fights your battles if you let Him. He has given you the tools and skills you need to defeat the giant before you. It is time to let the stone of prayer, worship, and faith fly and watch as God directs it and that giant falls. Because others are watching and you will not be the only one whose faith is strengthened.

And while you’re at it, take that sword that the giant intended to destroy you with and chop off his head. You’ve listened long enough. It’s time to silence him for good.