DEVOTIONALS #9

I Samuel 17  - David and Goliath - Overcoming tremendous odds.

Goliath was a large Philistine giant who shouted to the army of Isreal, "Choose a man from your ranks and have him come down to me in the valley.  If he is able to defeat me  we will be your subjects.  However if I defeat him, you will all become our servants.  When the Isrealites heard these words, they were dismayed and terrified. 

For forty days the Philistines came forward every morning and evening and took a stand.  Whenever the Isrealites saw this giant and heard his words, they all fled in fear.

When David, who was the youngest of his brothers heard about this, he said, " Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine.  I will go down and fight him".  But some discouraged him by saying,  you are not able to go against him.  You are only a young man who tends sheep.  This man is huge and has been a warrior since he was a boy.   Nevertheless, David insisted so they tried to suit him up with armor and heavy weapons.  But it was all too heavy and he could hardly walk.  So he took off all the armor and laid down the weapons.   Then he took his staff in his hand and went down to meet Goliath with only 5 stones and a sling.

When Goliath saw David approaching he saw that he was very young and handsome and he despised him.  David responded to his shouts by saying, "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands".  He then used his slingshot to a hurl a rock that landed in the giant's forehead and he defeated him.  When the Philistines saw that their hero was down, they all turned and fled.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS

1. Can you name some smaller athletes that have overcome tremendous odds to be successeful in their sport?
2. What is the advantage of being smaller or the underdog?
3. How have you been victorious in a situation when the odds were stacked against you?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Faith in God and a positive attitude can help you to overcome tremendous odds.