Confidence
“Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!””
1 Samuel 17:41-47 NLT
Monday evening I watched the Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby. Typically when I’m watching something like this I’m multitasking; reading, messaging on my phone, and watching the TV. But I caught up in the incredible display of power. Majestic home runs,one after another, were something special to see. But in the end it came down to the home town team’s star, the Philadelphia Phillies’, Kyle Schwarber and a relatively unknown Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker hit 6 consecutive home runs in the final to edge out Schwarber to win the contest and a million dollars.
What intrigued me was the effect the crowd had on both Schwarber and Walker. Obviously the thunderous applause helped Schwarber to hit so many home runs. At one point he stopped and pumped his arms encouraging the fans to cheer louder- and they did! If you know anything about Philadelphia fans they are famous for their booing. If one of their own players under performs they have no problem booing him. At a Philadelphia Eagles game they booed Santa Claus. They show no mercy. So you could imagine the booing Walker faced as he batted. He was unfazed and went on to win the contest. As an athlete (ok, a former athlete) I was impressed by Walker’s composure and confidence. He was unaffected and in unafraid of the moment.
I began to think isn’t that how which should live life. David certainly believed that as he faced the giant Goliath. He was jeered and taunted but unfazed. He knew that his God was bigger than any giant he faced. Friend whatever you’re facing you need to know that your God is bigger than anything the comes into your life. I’m not saying you won’t have pain and heartaches. That is certainly part of being a human being. But read to the words of Paul and see what I’m talking about.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28, 31, 35-39
Make it a Winning Wednesday! God is good…