Friday, March 24, 2023

GOD’S CHAMPIONS

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:2), where David picked up five smooth stones from the brook, one of which he used in his sling to kill Goliath.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

David knew for sure that the God of Israel was much bigger than any giant the Philistines could produce. David’s past experiences gave him great confidence that God would enable him to defeat Goliath. All of us can think of times when we’ve seen God doing great things in our own lives, or we’ve heard of God doing great things in the lives of others. Soon we’ll celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the greatest victory in human history. The historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection happened in the past, and it is also a present reality. He is risen!!! David was the champion of Israel. Jesus is the Champion for all time and for every challenge. The Apostle Paul writes of “the seed of David” (2 Timothy 2:8-13). Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (to read it in context see John 14:11-21). With our faith in Jesus, we too can be champions. Jesus assures us that the person who believes in Him will win the battles. In Him we are bigger than any challenge!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You have defeated the last human enemy, death! Therefore, I have complete confidence that with You living in me I can win over every giant that I face. I pray for boldness to take that which I know You’ve done in the past, apply that knowledge to the present, and move forward into future battles with the secure knowledge of Your Presence. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When God gave us Canada’s first professionally equipped Christian television production studio back in 1977, I could not stand to see God’s resources sitting empty for much of the day after we went live to air with the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast. Therefore, we began producing telecasts in many languages other than English. We also did shows for children and teens. Nite Lite, an open-line show which ran live 5 nights a week from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., was what one of our hosts, Rev. Ken Campbell, called “the best fishing hole in Canada.” In one staff Chapel service in the early 1990’s, I shared that the challenge of the middle-of-the-night ministry needed a champion who would assume full responsibility for its future. Later that day, Jim Cantelon, who had been one of my co-hosts on 100 Huntley Street after returning from Jerusalem where he established a great Christian congregation, approached me with these words: “David, I want to be that champion for the middle of the night.” He covered not only Canada but the U.S.A. as well for many years. I’m excited to rise every morning to champion the ministry of this blog!

Yours, praying Jesus’ prayer request: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers [champions] into the harvest field” (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2),

David

P.S. In the God Rocks children’s animated TV series produced by a champion, Bruce Stacey, the actor Mickey Rooney, certainly not a “giant” in stature, is the voice of “Bullseye”…the little rock that bopped Goliath. It’s a creative re-telling of today’s reading. Below is a poster from that episode (signed by Mickey). The episode is called “Splat Ball Square Off” and here’s a link to a trailer for it. Some of the God Rocks “Bible Toons” are archived online HERE. You might want to share them with the children for whom you can be a champion for Christ.

5 thoughts on “Friday, March 24, 2023

  1. Thank You, Father, for the faith You give us – faith that overcomes even the world! Help us exercise that faith and trust in You to do mighty exploits – the things You have prepared for us and which You prepare us for. Give us the grace to trust in You and obey, in Jesus’s great name, amen

    Love David’s attitude:

    “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!”

  2. David ( the shepherd boy) had such assurance that God would help him defeat Goliath. He knew that it was the Lord’s battle not his. Oh, to have such faith and confidence!
    David Mainse was also a man of great faith.

    Lord, may we also have faith that will “ move mountains “!

    Doreen, I am happy that all went well and you passed your driver’s test. Blessings to all.

    • Thank you Luisa. A relief for me for sure. We sure need faith for the times we are living in. Romans 10: 17, tells us that faith comes by hearing the message of the Word. We are hearing the Word daily with this blog. So thankful for all who prepare it, and for those who participate. Blessings all.

  3. Congratulations, Doreen, that you conquered Goliath! So glad for you.
    May we all continue to be guided into the Heart of GOD❣️

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