BECOMING A WINNER
1 Samuel 17:32, 33 & 37
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." 33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." 37 David replied, "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."
King David wasn't a big man, or overly strong. I don't know how old he was, but he was much younger than his older brothers. He may have been just a teenager. However, we do know that as a boy he accomplished more things that 99% of grown men will ever accomplish... Why? How?
Zach Terry loved to fish bass. He worked hard at it and fished every chance he could. As a boy he was very successful at his fishing and one day he hoped to fish professionally. Then one day God put a different call on his life... and he began working even harder to accomplish his goals. Today you can hear Pastor Zach Terry at First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach in Florida or on many Florida radio stations each week.
Zach had a calling and worked hard to go where God was calling him.
David trusted God... God gave him the abilities and then the confidence to accomplish great things. But David still had to step out and do what he was called to do. The Psalms are full of examples of David crying out to God to help, lead, direct and protect him. David looked to God for his strength and help.
As we approach a new year and a new decade, many face fears of what will come. Some are even frozen in fear concerning moving forward, not knowing what they might face in the new decade. Political uncertainties, financial doubts, relationship struggles have some afraid to move forward. But God has given His children all they need to accomplish for what they set out to do. And all they need is a trust in God. That trust and reliance made David not only a "giant killer"... but also a King.
Each of us are given gifts and abilities by God. But if we don't work hard and possess a good attitude, all while relying on God for our strength, they will go to waste.
Retired NBA great Larry Bird, holds many incredible records. Some said that he was too small, too slow and not good enough to be an NBA star. His childhood was a battleground as he left home when his parents divorced. About a year later his father committed suicide, leaving Larry fatherless... yet Larry pushed forward. Despite all this he became a star. He defines a winner using this logic...
"A winner is someone who recognizes his God- given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses those skills to accomplish his goals."
What we accomplish in life starts and ends with God and in the middle is our attitude and effort. Trust Him to go ahead of you into the future.
Be a winner.
Help achieve the mission - GIVE today
Click the button to sign up for Dean’s Daily Devotional. FREE and delivered daily.