What I’m Reading: “Goliath Must Fall” Part 1

The most recent book that I am reading is called “Goliath Must Fall” by Louie Giglio. I haven’t finished it yet, but it is so incredible that I am going to go ahead and share about it. I’ll have more to share throughout the book, but it works out because this whole book in one post would not do it justice.

I had been searching for a book to read in a small group, and in my search, I stumbled upon this one. One of the first things I noticed was the fact that it was by Louie Giglio. I was first introduced to Giglio through his Passion Conference that he puts on every year. It is a huge conference targeted towards college/young adult crowds in which thousands of people attend to sing praises to God, hear well known pastors, and grow in relation with God. Hearing Giglio speak stirs such a passion to draw closer to God. Since my attending this event, I have known of Louie Giglio and how he is a game changer for Christ.

Because of the author, I was already expecting for a great read, but it has far exceeded what my expectations were. This book is incredible, and it gives a whole new meaning, power, and relevance to the story of David and Goliath. It alludes to how Goliath, the giant in the story, is present in the everyday manifested as obstacles that establish footholds in our lives to try to steal our joy and provoke stress. Giglio points out 5 giants that he believes manifest themselves in our lives, how they take root, and how our eyes pointed to Jesus yields defeat of these giants.

In the beginning two chapters, Giglio presents two points that changed the perspective of the “David and Goliath” story for me.

1. One of the first ideas is the fact that in this “David and Goliath” story, WE ARE NOT DAVID. Jesus is David in this story of David and Goliath. Giglio reassures that throughout the whole book it is never going to ask for us to try harder in our own efforts. Starting this book, I was ready to challenge myself: I would identify my giants and defeat them. However, this book is not meant to be about our own efforts; rather, it is turning us back to the importance of Jesus’ defeat that has already happened on the cross. It is just a matter of continuing to let ourselves be guided by the victor rather than guided by any other worldly fear or giant.

Jesus defeated our giants for us long ago on the cross. Though our giants have been defeated, they can still create footholds in our lives. Let us never forget that there is no giant that is bigger than God, and no giant that has not already been defeated on the cross. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and sticking with HIM is always going to yield a defeat of our giants.

2. The second point Giglio introduces is why it is so important to defeat our giants. One of the things God wants for us is to live full, adventurous lives without staying fearful or being enslaved to a worldly emotion. He wants us to truly thrive without letting obstacles get in our way. Just as it says in John 10:10, we are called to live life to the full! However, our giants do not just need to go down for our sake, BUT FOR GOD’S sake. This life and the defeating of our giants is not at all about us, just as everything in this world is not about us. It is solely about God and His Glory. David came to the soldiers just as a delivery boy with the sole responsibility to give things to the soldiers. However, once He heard Goliath shaming and bad mouthing his/our God, he was driven to fight. No one was going to hate on his God!

David was not going to let the Glory of God be tainted or spoken about falsely. He could not help, but take the giant down because of the falsehood that he spoke. David kept his eyes on Jesus, and in doing so, he had the strength of the Lord. He was fueled with passion for the Lord. So much so, that if anyone said or did anything against God, he had to intervene.

Two incredible points and that is just in the first two chapters! It is quite a page turner, and as I get further and further into the book, I look forward to sharing more of the nuggets of Truth packed in the book. I highly encourage this read.

Love always,

Katie Girl