In 1 Samuel 17, we read about David and Goliath. When David fought Goliath, he was only a teenager, yet showed great courage in fighting Goliath, who was part of the Philistine army and was over nine feet tall. Goliath went against David with sword and spear, but David only needed a sling and a stone. Goliath cursed David by the names of his gods, but David came to him in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies - the one true God. Before Goliath could even get close to David, David swung a stone at Goliath's forehead, it hit him in the perfect spot, and he was defeated.

If we have courage, we can overcome any difficult situation with the help of our Lord. Courage allows you to persevere, face your fears, have integrity, and to keep going when life gets tough. We need courage for almost everything in life, big or small. For instance, courage is needed for both giving a presentation at work that could get you a promotion, and also for getting rid of a bug in your home that you would rather go nowhere near. We are constantly facing our own giants, and though sometimes it feels like it is impossible to defeat them, we have to remember that we have God, the Lord of Heaven’s armies, on our side! Take courage and know that no matter how big and scary those giants may seem, you have God on your side, and you can overcome anything.

Suggested prayer: Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that you are with me wherever I go and that you are for me, not against me. Please give me courage when I need it and help me overcome whatever giants I face in life. In your mighty name I pray, amen.

1.      Joshua 1:9 (NLT).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Gianna B.