Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50
We are enamored with the “underdog” stories. They range from the “Hare and the Tortoise” of Aesop to the Rocky series. The main storyline is of the battle between good and evil.
However, these stories are further emblazoned with the show of sheer determination overcoming insurmountable odds. We see in the stories that life is seldom fair.
It is encouraging to see that those with ingenuity, effort and heart can sometimes overcome the odds.
We all love the idea that anyone can achieve the impossible dream, or at least exceed expectations.
One of my favorite movies is “Rudy.” This is the story of a kid whose ultimate goal is to play football for Notre Dame. Rudy has to overcome the daunting obstacles of his dyslexia and physical size, but manages to win the hearts of those around him to achieve his dreams. It is like a modern David versus Goliath.
One thing that most of these “underdog” stories are missing that the David versus Goliath account has is that the confidence of David was not in his dream, his ability, his stamina or his ingenuity.
David’s confidence was in God.
Even when Goliath taunted him in the valley, David didn’t list all of his accomplishments.
David said “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies – you have defied Him. Today, the Lord will hand you over to me” (17:45-46).
God calls His followers to be faithful and stand against those who are in opposition to God and His people.
If we are trusting in anything other than God, we are doomed to fail.
He will give His people the success that He has planned when we trust, work and give Him all the glory. Our nation can be called back to God, if His people trust Him, pray, stand and make Him known. We may feel like the “underdog,” but in Him we can see the Goliaths fall.