How Big Is Your God

When I first confessed Jesus as Lord, I didn’t realize I was stepping into a life where suffering might come with the territory. Today, believers around the world are experiencing this reality, and signs of it are increasingly present here in the United States. Stories of Christians facing hostility for standing firm in their faith are no longer rare—they are becoming common. Like David’s Israel, we too are confronted by hostile giants—forces that loom large, demanding we shrink back. The question is: how do we respond?

The answer begins with faith. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is the foundation of a powerful Christian life. It recounts the triumphs of God’s people—and the suffering they endured for it. Compared to them, many of us live sheltered lives. Scripture, however, calls us to prepare our hearts for challenges. My goal—and I hope yours as well—is to grow in faith.

One of the greatest keys to growing in faith is magnifying God. Think of Israel’s soldiers who trembled before Goliath. They compared the giant to themselves and ran. David, however, compared Goliath to God—and ran toward him. The same is true for us. If we compare the overwhelming wickedness of the world to the immeasurable greatness of our God, we will find courage to live by the words God repeats throughout His Word: “Do not fear.”

As Romans 8:31 reminds us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” No weapon, no voice, no force—human, hostile, or demonic—can stand when we magnify Him above all. His spirit within us is greater than anything the world or darkness can muster (1 John 4:4), and standing firm in His power, no attack—seen or unseen—can prevail against us (Isaiah 54:17; Ephesians 6:10-11).

We live in a culture that exalts self and mocks truth. Voices in entertainment, politics, and education increasingly celebrate what God calls sin and condemn what God calls holy. To stand against the world’s current way of thinking is to invite scorn, censorship, or even the loss of livelihood. Pressure to conform is relentless—bow to cultural ideologies, stay silent on moral issues, or redefine truth to match the times. These are our modern-day Goliaths, strutting proudly and daring God’s people to speak up. But just as David did not back down, neither can we. The louder the world shouts its lies, the more determined we must be to magnify God’s voice above all others.

The giants we face today are not merely cultural trends or political powers. Behind them stand unseen forces of darkness. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6). Demonic powers seek to intimidate believers into silence. Like Goliath taunting Israel’s army, these hostile giants magnify themselves to appear unbeatable. Yet they crumble when measured against the power of God and the authority He has given to His risen son, our Lord Jesus Christ. When we fix our eyes on God and trust the authority of Jesus, the bluster of darkness is exposed for what it truly is—empty threats before El Shaddai, God Almighty.

Jesus Christ perfectly revealed the heart of God. Everything he did demonstrated both God’s willingness and His ability to bless, heal, and deliver. The same God who rescued Noah from the flood and Lot from Sodom (2 Peter 2) will rescue His people today. Even in a world under Satan’s sway (1 John 5:19), God knows how to preserve the godly in trials.

Scripture is clear: those who follow Jesus Christ will face opposition and persecution, just as he did. Jesus warned, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Paul confirmed the same truth: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Peter exhorted believers: “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3). Standing for truth may bring suffering—but so will God’s blessing. To suffer for Christ is not shameful; it is honorable. As Peter said, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4).

Paul reminded Timothy that the spirit God gives is not one of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1). Though Paul suffered greatly for the gospel, he was unashamed because he knew whom he believed. That same assurance can strengthen us. To the Philippians, Paul wrote that suffering for Christ is part of our calling as much as believing in him (Philippians 1). He emphasized striving together—standing united in faith, shoulder to shoulder.

Unity is vital. If the world around us descends into turmoil, we must rely on one another in the spirit of unity and the bond of peace, encouraging and strengthening each other to remain steadfast. Who are the brothers and sisters with whom your heart is knit together? Now is the time to build and deepen those relationships.

So the real question for each of us is this: How big is your God? If we magnify Him above all else, no giant—whether human, hostile, or demonic—can stand against us. The world may mock truth, darkness may threaten, and spiritual forces may rage, but their power is limited and their defeat is certain. We serve the one true God, who raised Jesus from the dead, exalted him above every name, and gave him all authority in heaven and on earth.

Today, choose to fix your eyes on God. Magnify His greatness in your heart, in your words, and in your actions. As you do, be drawn to magnify Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the nature, power, and love of God. To know Jesus is to know the Father—every act, word, and attribute of Christ reflects God’s glory and majesty.

Stand boldly in faith, confront the giants that challenge you, and walk confidently in the power and protection that Jesus provides. No attack can prevail against you when your trust is in God, and every courageous step you take draws you closer to the day when Jesus will appear to rescue us from this present evil age.

With love,