© 2006 Max Lucado All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Thomas Nelson, Inc. titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected]. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Other Scripture references are from the following sources: The American Standard Version (ASV). God’s Word (God’s Word) is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society. All rights reserved. The Good News Bible: The Bible in Today’s English Version (TEV) copyright 1992 by the American Bible Society. The King James Version of the Bible (KJV). The Living Bible (TLB), copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill. Used by permission. The Message (MSG), copyright © 1993. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 1960, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. The New Century Version® (NCV), © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. J. B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition (PHILLIPS). Copyright © J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lucado, Max. Facing your giants / Max Lucado. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8499-0181-2 ISBN 978-0-8499-9149-3 (International Edition) ISBN 978-0-8811-3350-9 (Spanish Edition) 1. David, King of Israel. 2. Goliath (Biblical giant) 3. Christian life. 4. Spirituality. I. Title. BS580.D3L83 2006 222'.4092—dc22 2006019176 Printed in the United States of America 07 08 09 10 11 RRD 8 7 6 5 4 Denalyn and I gladly dedicate this volume to Rod and Tina Chisholm— faithful, dependable, and joyful servants. We thank God for more than two decades of friendship. ALSO BY MAX LUCADO INSPIRATIONAL A Gentle Thunder A Love Worth Giving And the Angels Were Silent Come Thirsty Cure for the Common Life God Came Near He Chose the Nails He Still Moves Stones In the Eye of the Storm In the Grip of Grace It’s Not about Me Just Like Jesus Next Door Savior No Wonder They Call Him the Savior On the Anvil Six Hours One Friday The Applause of Heaven The Great House of God Traveling Light When Christ Comes When God Whispers Your Name CHILDREN’S BOOKS A Hat for Ivan Alabaster’s Song All You Ever Need Because I Love You Best of All He Chose You Hermie, a Common Caterpillar If Only I Had a Green Nose Jacob’s Gift Just in Case You Ever Wonder Just Like Jesus (for teens) Just the Way You Are Next Door Savior (for teens) Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift Small Gifts in God’s Hands Stanley the Stinkbag Tell Me the Secrets Tell Me the Story The Crippled Lamb The Way Home With You All the Way You Are Mine You Are Special Your Special Gift GIFT BOOKS A Heart Like Jesus Everyday Blessings For These Tough Times God’s Mirror God’s Promises for You God Thinks You’re Wonderful Grace for the Moment, Vol. I & II Grace for the Moment Journal In the Beginning Just for You Just Like Jesus Devotional Let the Journey Begin Mocha with Max One Incredible Moment Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms Shaped by God The Cross The Gift for All People The Greatest Moments Traveling Light for Mothers Turn FICTION An Angel’s Story The Christmas Candle The Christmas Child BIBLES (GENERAL EDITOR) He Did This Just for You (New Testament) The Devotional Bible Grace for the Moment Daily Bible CONTENTS Acknowledgments 1 Facing Your Giants 2 Silent Phones 3 Raging Sauls 4 Desperate Days 5 Dry Seasons 6 Grief-Givers 7 Barbaric Behavior 8 Slump Guns 9 Plopping Points 10 Unspeakable Grief 11 Blind Intersections 12 Strongholds 13 Distant Deity 14 Tough Promises 15 Thin Air-ogance 16 Colossal Collapses 17 Family Matters