Encouragement: How to be A Champion?

I felt so emotional to be at the place where David and Goliath fought the crucial battle many thousands of years ago in the valley down the mountain on which we had picnic recently. It is a well-known battle between Israel and Philistines during the time of King Saul's reign in Judah. Because of the victory David brought to Israel that day, today Askelon is part of Israel. It was a Philistine city during the time of Goliath. We had spent an evening and had dinner in the open ground in Askelon, as if we were celebrating that age-old victory won by boy David! I even danced a little and rejoiced with other young people that day. I brought with me stones (more than five!) from that valley where David used only one out of 5 stones he collected from the nearby lake. As I see the stones in front of me here, I am reminded daily of the wonderful victory and how courageous little David was to take up the challenge of mighty Goliath. It spurs me to be a champion! And why not you be challenged to be a champion too?

So what made David a champion? Did he have any qualification or training like King Saul had? Was he expert in using war weapons or was he well built to physically or did he possess any extra supernatural powers? Surprisingly none at all! Yet he won. He became a champion in Israel and raised up many more too. Let us think about some key truths that made David a champion out of a Shepherd boy and the same principles can also change you into a champion even today too! (You can study 1 Sanuel 16,17 chs in the Bible).

1. Courage: The first secret in David becoming a champion is his courage to face the challenges in life. Once, he had ane encouter with lion and bear in the jungles and tore them into pieces. What a courage! Now he compared that challenge with the challenge from giant Goliath. When the whole army of Israel and mighty warrior King Saul feared to go near this giant, little shepherd boy David decided to face him! The very decision surprised all and his own brothers despised him taking it as a joke! But David knew the battle he is into and had tremendous courage to face it. Where did he get that courage? He was first an anointed man. The spirit of God was upon him. The Bible says, David was "a man after God's own heart!" He obeyed God's Word. He always honored God. To face life's daily battles, you need courage that comes from knowing God intimately and developing faith in His unchangeable promises.

2. Confidence: David had confidence to win over Goliath because he had already faced bigger threats like lion and bear all alone with bare hands and killed them. He had victory in private and he got confidence he will have victory in public too. His confidence was based on God's power and presence with him. He believed God is fighting on his behalf. Yes, confidence in God produces confidence in self! That you can do it! As Paul said," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. How to develop this kind of confidence? By trusting in God and His infallible Word. Stay on His side and victory is assured. Even Moses had to learn this truth when he cried out to God before the Red Sea. He was told to go forward and step into it by faith that it will part and thye can pass over. Confidence does wonders. You will see great things and glorious things when yu develop confidence in God to do His plan in your life. David proved the truth that with God all things are possible and you can win with His help.

Just be courageous and go forward with confidence to face challenges in life- you will be a champion!

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24.

Be encouraged!

A. Othniel