Last night I got to go to a Wednesday night church service here in Malaysia. I knew there were two speakers that would be there and I hoped there would be worship. I got more than I hoped for and expected! The church was packed out on a Wednesday night and we started with incredible worship! The last song was new to me called “Your Presence”, but it was the cry of my spirit (lyrics at the end of this blog).
One of the speakers was Dr. Robi Sonderegger from Australia and the other was Pastor Leo Bigger of Switzerland. These two men stretched their faith and pushed the limits of possibility to raise funds and awareness, bring hope to those people in need and to prove that with God anything is possible. It was a step by step mission to climb 4158m (13,641 feet) to conquer Jungfrau Mountain, but in the process they had to conquer their greatest fears. They used videos from this experience to illustrate their message of how to conquer giants as well as paralleled their story with that of David and Goliath.
The main points of their message were to conquer a giant you need preparation, perseverance, prevail, and perspective.
Preparation: Preparation equals positioning. 1 Samuel 17:34-37. Position in attitude, strength, and guidance by the Holy Spirit. If you are going to conquer a giant you need to have faith, know your strength comes from the Lord, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Perseverance: see the goal. Look in front of you and be faithful with the next step. James 1:2-4. Perseverance doesn’t equal endurance. Perseverance is having done something, endurance is doing nothing. The cool part is reaching your goal…doing the job to get their is boring many times…that’s when God is molding is into the type of Pastor/Teacher/Leader/Worker He wants us to be. Stay true to who it is God has called you to be! If you are facing a giant then you often hear sounds of what other people say. Preserve in who it is God designed you to be! Stay true to who God wants you to become especially in when nobody is watching.
Prevail: I come against you in the name of the Lord. You have tools to prevail. David knew he had more than one giant to face because Goliath had siblings, so he picked up more than one stone. The speakers had more challenges than just going up the mountain, they had to go back down and watch for crevasses. Don’t just focus on one giant, because there will likely be more. Continue to be well positioned, maintain the right perspective, being a winner so you will prevail.
Perspective: the guys took the flight to look at the mountain after they climbed it because there was bad weather when the flight was initially scheduled a week before their climb. They were thankful to not see the whole mountain before because they may have been too scared to climb it. Many times God just shows us a glimpse of things because we might be overwhelmed and scared if we saw everything. With a glimpse we just have to be faithful with what God is asking us to do now.
David walked in as a boy and walked out a man of God who eventually became King. When you conquer your giant you will become stronger in God and you will be one step closer to where God is taking you, your destiny.
I loved that these men actually climbed a snowy mountain to prove they could do all things through Christ and to bring awareness to persecuted people. Many times we hear of bad things happening and know something needs to be done but think we can’t do anything about it. We can do it through Christ! Don’t let a giant of doubt get in your way!
They ended by taking up an offering and praying. They prayed we would conquer the giants that are standing in our way and keeping up from doing what God has called us to do. I can honestly say I have conquered many giants to get where I’m at today…giants of self doubt, giants of unbelief, giants of finances, and so many more. The reality is I still have many giants to conquer to get where God is calling me to be. I have a renewed strength and perseverance after this message and that is why I’m sharing it with you…I want God to renew your strength and persevere!
Lord, right now I pray for each person that has read this blog. I don’t know the giant they are facing right now, but You do. I pray that you remind each person that You have prepared them to fight this giant, You have already given them the faith and strength they need. If they are feeling weary renew their faith and strength so they can follow You through this. Give them the perseverance to take one step after another in faith, following You all the way. Let them walk in who You have called them to be. Remind them that they will prevail and You are with them every step of the way. Give them Your perspective Lord. Remind them You are working all things for their good even if they might not see it right now. Lord you know the giant they are facing right now, whether it be illness, fear, doubt, stepping into their calling, fighting an addiction, family situations, problems in a relationship, loss of a loved one or something else. I pray that right now You remind them that no matter their giant they are stronger than their giant with You on their side. Fill them with an overwhelming peace and strength. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
If you want to find out more about the ministry of Dr. Robi and Pastor Leo visit their website www.conqueringthegiant.com
Here are the lyrics to “Your Presence”
All of my life I’ve searched for You Lord
You called me to Your side
With all of my heart, I’m desperate for more
Your presence is my life
The cry of my heart
Is to be where You are
I love Your presence
I love Your presence
Father where You are is where I wanna be
Hidden in Your courts is everything I need
You are my strength, You are my shield
Surround me with Your song
All that my soul will know is Your peace
You hide me in Your love
The cry of my heart
Is to be where You are
I love Your presence
I love Your presence
Father where You are is where I wanna be
Hidden in Your courts is everything I need
I love Your presence
I love Your presence
I can hear You call, I run into Your arms
Jesus You are all, my heart is longing for
Father You are my heart’s desire
Overwhelmed I will worship You
I will dance to the dance of heaven
All my heart be enthralled by You
