Jesus, Our Giant Slayer – March 12, 2025

Read: 1 Samuel 17:4-11,32-40,45-59

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:47

Jesus, Our Giant Slayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What an unlikely hero! If you had to guess who would win this one-on-one battle, who would you pick? A nine-foot-tall giant soldier, covered in armor, trained for war since he was a kid . . . or a teenage shepherd boy with no armor and no sword? Sounds like an easy choice, right? The Philistines laughed, and the Israelites shook with fear. Back then, battles were sometimes settled by sending out just one warrior from each side to fight. Whichever warrior won; his army won the whole battle! And humanly speaking, there was no way that David—young, untrained, and mostly unarmed—could take down the mighty Goliath.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just speaking humanly.

Even though David was the one stepping onto the battlefield, he knew he wasn’t really the champion of Israel. He told Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!” David knew God was the real warrior fighting for his people. Now, let’s ask again: Goliath or God—who do you think would win? The answer is obvious for anyone who has faith. No one can stand against the Lord when he fights for his people, even if he chooses an unexpected hero!

And guess what? We were in a battle too.

On our own, we didn’t stand a chance against the devil, the world, and our own sin. We were trapped—stuck in sin and death, separated from God. But remember, we’re not just speaking humanly! The Lord still fights for his people. He stepped out of heaven and into our world as the most unlikely hero of all—a tiny baby in Bethlehem, a man baptized in the Jordan River, God hanging on a cross, and finally, Jesus walking out of the tomb—alive again!

Because of his victory, we are free. Free from sin. Free from death. Free to live as God’s children. The enemy doesn’t stand a chance, because this battle belongs to the Lord—and that Lord is on your side in Jesus, our Giant Slayer!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you have defeated all the enemies that stood against us. Thank you for your perfect victory! Give us comfort and peace, knowing that your power is always at work for us, through us, and in us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Why were the Israelites so scared of Goliath?
• Who helped David to win the battle against the giant Goliath?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How could David be so confident as he walked out to battle?
• How does the Lord Jesus still fight for his people?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Jesus was tempted for 40 days. How are these stories related?
• How will it help you to remember that the almighty Lord is on your side in Christ?