Niccolò Paganini was a virtuoso violinist and composer who lived in Europe in the early 1800s and was thought to be the greatest violinist of all time. His technique while playing was unparalleled. His compositions, unique and of vanguard style. His playing of gentle passages was so beautiful that his audiences often burst into tears, and yet, he would perform some pieces with such vigor and velocity that one listener at a concert in Vienna became half-crazed and declared for days that he had seen Satan himself helping the violinist on stage.

Paganini was known to have owned some of the most prestigious violins of his day and collected a myriad of interesting stories about how he won and lost some of his precious violins.

One particular story stands out.

The musician had just stepped on stage to start a particular concert. As the audience greeted the virtuoso with fierce applause, he noticed that there was something wrong with the violin in his hand. He looked at the instrument and realized that he wasn’t holding his best violin.

He excused himself to go backstage and fetch the right instrument and was shocked to find out that his precious Stradivari had been stolen.

After remaining backstage for a while, he stepped onstage again to address the audience. With resolute confidence, Paganini declared: “Ladies and gentlemen, I will now demonstrate to you that the music is not in the instrument but in the soul.” He then rendered a most dramatic piece, bringing the audience to a euphoric standing ovation at the end.

Some Trust in Chariots…

As I read this particular story in the life of the composer, I thought about Psalm 20, written by King David, where he attributed all his successes in battle to God’s strength, not his own. In verse 7, he wrote: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God – Psalm 20:7
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Victory. There’s nothing sweeter than being able to fulfill a dream, win a hard battle, or simply attain success by exercising a God-given gift. There’s nothing quite like it. But I believe that as exciting as some victories can be, they also hold a serious danger.

We may fool ourselves into believing that our success was obtained solely by our own merit and strength, often forgetting that we are recipients of God’s matchless favor and grace. Although we can rightfully say that our hard work, skills, and diligence help us fulfill our goals and dreams, we must never forget that our trust should not rest solely on our resources.

Rather, we must remember to put our trust in something that diseases cannot destroy and circumstantial lack of resources cannot detain – the unchangeable power of a limitless God.

We must remember to put our trust in something that diseases cannot destroy and circumstantial lack of resources cannot detain – the unchangeable power of a limitless God.
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God’s Power and your circumstances

Just as Paganini’s majestic music did not change with an inferior instrument, I’m challenged to remember daily that God’s purposes and His power to fulfill them do not change with life’s circumstances. And just as David acknowledged that his victories were not won by his tangible resources and the strength of his army alone, we must remember to recognize God’s hand and favor in each victory we win.

It’s a personal, deliberate choice, really. And I personally choose not to put my trust in instruments that may get lost or stolen or in horses and chariots to win the battles I face. I choose to trust in the Name of my God, whose character never changes, whose plans for me are perfect, and whose strength in battle is matchless.

Whether I am in the valley or standing on the mountaintop, that truth is always the song of my heart and the strength of my soul.

I personally choose not to put my trust in instruments that may get lost or stolen or in horses and chariots to win the battles I face. I choose to trust in the Name of my God, whose character never changes, whose plans for me are…
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For more on this passage, read 2 Samuel 21

“Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David went down and his servants with him; and as they fought against the Philistines, David became weary. Then Ishbi-benob, who was among the descendants of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, was girded with a new sword, and he intended to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” (2 Samuel 21:15-17 – NASB – emphasis added)

According to scholars, the date of the events in these last chapters of 2 Samuel are uncertain. But we know that they happened towards the end of King David’s reign, after Absalom’s and Sheba’s rebellion.

The surroundings were familiar. The sounds were the same. Battle sounds.

Indeed, the scene depicted on the twenty-first chapter of 2 Samuel must have felt as déjà vu for old King David. Although the Philistines had been subdued so that their army was modest in size, they still had giants to bring to battle.

And as long as there were giants to fight the anointed King of Israel, the enemy would never give up.

Four Goliaths this time!

Four descendants of the one brought down with a little stone and whole lot of faith, had come to revenge their father.

Nope, the Giants never give up.

It’s a passage in the history of King David that one can easily skim through without second thought.

It’s the winding down of a life marked by righteousness and sin, victories and defeats, strengths and weaknesses.

It’s the fight against his last enemies, who were much like his first. Only more.

And yet, as the king drew strength from his God, leaning on the people who loved him to protect him, victory was his yet again. David fainted… but he did not flee. He kept his ground, and even though others fought for him, the victory was still his.

This account of the life of David, carefully placed, just before his song of deliverance and his last song (2 Samuel 22,23), taught me several lessons regarding the battles I face.

It’s a strong reminder that the giants never give up on those who seek to please God. Rather, they often become bigger, mightier, more…

Giants never give up on those who seek to please God. Rather, they often become bigger, mightier, more
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It reminds me that my strength may fail me in battle. And I may become weary, and discouraged (v.15). And yet, so long as my heart is anchored on my God… so long as my life reflects His righteousness, justice, goodness and love, I have nothing to fear.

I may be too weak to fight, but even then, He sends friends who lift me up in prayer, thus strengthening my arms for battle… and sometimes even fighting the giants for me.

Like Aaron and Hur for Moses… (Exodus 17:12)

Like Abishai for David… (v.17)

The story made me realize that the giants may come back with stronger weapons and new tactics, but so long as I have Yahweh on my side, even in my weakest moment, I am strong In Him.

It’s true, my friend – powerful enemies will never give up on God’s people.

But neither does our God!

Trust Him for the battle. It belongs to Him, anyway.

David shouted this Truth to that first Giant, when he was but a boy. And watched it continue to unfold until the day he died:

The battle is the Lord’s! The battle is the Lord’s! (1 Samuel 17:47)

Your battle belongs to your God.

Your only job is to love and obey Him.

The rest… is His to do.

Are giants taunting you again?

Are they even stronger than before? Bigger? More?

My prayer is that you stand up, and do as David did:

• Do your part – do not give up. Get up and fight. (v.15)
• Ask for reinforcements – Call on a few good men (and women) to pray. (v.17-22)

But first and foremost, rest in the assurance that God is fighting for you.

He always will.

When you face your giants that way, you can confidently join King David’s song:

“For by You I can run upon a troop;

By my God I can leap over a wall.

“As for God, His way is blameless;

The word of the Lord is tested;

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

“For who is God, besides the Lord?

And who is a rock, besides our God?

(2 Samuel 22:30-32)

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