“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9.

On my usual walk around the neighborhood, I saw and interesting sight…a gentleman was walking his dog-it appeared to be a great dane-a humungous dog; but out of the blue, a tiny little chihuahua ran from out of its driveway barking something fierce and went right for the legs of the great dane!- and I need you to know that great dane did not touch that chihuahua!

I found it interesting to know that the temperament of chihuahua’s can be described as lively, alert, aggressive, quick, devoted, and courageous! In just a few minutes of observing the scene-I can vouch for that…and more importantly, I found out that these tiny little animals – which when domesticated are very territorial and confident; they have no fear of protecting their ground-and why is that- because they have a master always close by to back them up!

This immediately sent a spiritual visual to mind of the characteristics we should display when facing the giants that come in our lives…my friends, our Lord and Master is closer than the very air that we breathe-and He will step in and deliver us from dangers seen and unseen by the power of HIS might. The Apostle Paul admonishes us with these words: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”Ephesians 6:10.

Spiritual Giants are ever present- things that seem to overshadow us, such as illness, fear, loss, uncertainty, and just outright attacks from the arch enemy of our souls! But let us find assurance in the words of the Lord to Joshua that states: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9.

And let me call up another witness for you-recall David just a small shepherd boy, when he faced Goliath- a nine-foot giant…but he courageously took the fight to the giant- why-because his faith was solely in The Lordfor deliverance.

Listen to the confidence and assurance he spoke to Goliath that day-“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” 1Samuel 17:46.

As a shepherd, David knew by experience what God could do in the face of imminent danger, and he wrote these words that comfort our hearts in Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

What giants are you facing today-has God delivered you from encounters that seem impossible? I suffice it to say most certainly He has. . . for as beloved children of God we all have our own crosses to bear- and we also have this assurance that it is by the power and might of the Lord, God Almighty- the One who succors and keeps us safe now and forever, that we stand and walk in victory! “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10.

So, even amid the trials of life… take courage, stay strong, and rest in the knowledge that the Master of our souls is in total control… He is our deliverer and strong tower, a very present help in trouble-and we can cling in obedience to the words of this command to all His children: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6.

 Giants will come but let us resolve like the characteristics of that little chihuahua, to be lively, alert, aggressive, quick, devoted, and above all courageous; because we need not fear for our Lord and Master has faithfully promised to be with us always– “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b. And praise the Lord…A Mighty Fortress is our God!

A mighty fortress is our God,

A mighty shield and weapon;

He helps us free from ev’ry need

That hath us now o’ertaken.

God blessings of strength and peace-hold on God’s got this too!