Daily Devotional: Friday, July 26 – Champions

“David mentioned to the Philistine, ‘You come towards me with sword and spear and javelin, however I come towards you within the identify of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you might have defied.’” — 1 Samuel 17:45

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One of the anticipated occasions worldwide is about to get began — the Paris Olympics. Households and buddies across the globe will probably be gathering over the following couple of weeks, with TVs most likely blaring greater than traditional, to look at the world’s finest athletes compete in what they’ve been coaching for day and night time. The fruits — and supreme aim — of the competitors is to see the most effective of the most effective end on the rostrum, with a gold medal positioned across the neck of the champion athlete or group that surpassed all rivals.

However champions aren’t restricted to gold-medal Olympians.

I bear in mind being 8 years outdated and listening to the story of David and Goliath in my Sunday college class. My eyes stared up as Mr. Karczweski shared this wonderful Bible story. He defined how David bumped into the battle and used his slingshot to hurl that deadly stone into the large’s head. He instructed us how David went as much as Goliath and grabbed his personal sword to chop off his head. Wow! I bear in mind pondering how unbelievable this Bible story is! Nonetheless as a 48-year-old grownup, it’s certainly one of my favorites. God selected David to be His champion to defeat the large. Like David, I imagine God calls us to be nice and a champion for Him.

Let’s study 4 key ideas to being a champion for Christ:

1) Humility — David was a shepherd boy, a lowly occupation, however precisely the place God strategically positioned him. With out query, the occupation of being a shepherd is a humbling expertise. There’s not a lot glory in tending sheep. And there’s nothing extra nauseating than a prideful, boastful, immodest champion. Be taught to deflect the reward. The center letter of the phrase “delight” is “I” and God hates a prideful coronary heart. Keep in mind: Humility will not be pondering much less of your self, however it’s pondering of your self much less. God, forgive us once we fail to stay humble.

2) Preparation — I like with this quote from the late Coach John Picket: “When alternative comes, it’s too late to organize.” There’s little doubt God was getting ready David to face Goliath when the boy killed a bear and lion along with his personal arms. So when the large alternative was offered, he was keen and out there to struggle Goliath. He was ready and he knew it. Let’s remind ourselves that we will’t essentially management the alternatives, however we will management and perceive our preparation.

3) Authenticity — As Saul agreed to ship David into battle, he gave him his personal armor and gear. In 1 Samuel 17:39b, David shared, “‘I can’t go in these,’ he mentioned to Saul, ‘as a result of I’m not used to them.’ So he took them off.” What a lesson of being true to who you’re. David was being actual with himself. He knew how he was created, designed and wired. He was snug with the talents God gave him. He was genuine.

4) Confidence — David’s confidence was not in his personal energy or skill, however somewhat in God Almighty. David knew the place His confidence got here from. First Samuel 17:45 says, “David mentioned to the Philistine, ‘You come towards me with sword and spear and javelin, however I come towards you within the identify of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you might have defied.’” Webster’s dictionary defines “confidence” as agency belief, or the sensation or perception that one can depend on somebody or one thing. As followers of Christ, we will have that very same confidence of David trusting and counting on our Heavenly Father.

Humility. Preparation. Authenticity. Confidence. Core attributes in turning into a champion for Christ.

— Jim Good

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