There are times when we feel out-matched or out-numbered. Today’s scripture reminds us that we are not only not alone; but that we need never fear or fret. On God’s side there are always more with “us” than there are with “them.” – Luther
“‘Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine [Goliath] will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 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.'” (1 Samuel 17:36-37, NIV)
Yesterday, we were encouraged to use our memory of God’s goodness to provoke us to be grateful. Today’s scripture encourages us to use our memory of God’s faithfulness to provoke us to trust and faith in our heavenly Father — at all times, and in every circumstance.
David’s faith, confidence, and courage at the great, public moment of his confrontation with Goliath had as its foundation the lesser, private moments in his life when God had been equally faithful. God’s power and faithfulness is no less when we’re facing a giant before an audience of thousands, than it is when we were confronting ordinary foes in the wilderness.
When facing the giant (whatever or whomever it might be), recall our heavenly Father’s faithfulness and power in the less public periods of your life. It will give you the faith, the confidence, and the courage you need to overcome! – Luther
To be Christian is to be like Christ.
Peter provides two clear, practical, snapshots of what it means to be like Christ: Ignoring insults from the “haters”; and making no threat against the agents of suffering and pain.
According to the scriptures, in his early years as a disciple of Jesus, Peter quickly responded to every insult and engaged every opponent. Through faithful discipleship, Peter became less of his impetuous, pugnacious, self; and more like his Master.
To grow in maturity as a Christian means to become more and more like Jesus. A measure of our maturity is the degree to which we are willing to entrust ourselves “to him who judges justly.” – Luther
Daily Encouragement 