TUESDAY - 23RD AUGUST, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
THE CONFESSION OF HEROES BEFORE THEY WERE STRONG
Read I Samuel 17:41-47
I Samuel 17:45, KJV
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."
Brethren, there is confession of newbies different from masters'. When you're a newbie, that is a J.J.C. (Johny Just Come), your volatile reputation makes you have self doubt and less belief in yourself. You're always seeking affirmation erratically while gazing at experienced hands for strength. If there were a greater force or power to trust in, you'll release yourself and your faith to rest in such and their words. Do know that it is easier trusting in God in days of nothingness than our days of apprehension. Range from fields to fields, you'll see the simplicity unarguably by which people submitted and took up tasks during their beginning. This is David at the battle front. Apart from the local matches he had had with wild animals, he had never battled with any human before let alone a champion. This bout was his first professional fight. So, how did he went into battle that day? That's what God wants you see. He said: "thou (Goliath) come to me with weapons" - these are the things anyone would easily trust in. You'll be stupid as a human if you want to protect a city without setting guards. However, we know who indeed could keep a city. We know it is God who could make it not enter any man's mind to come break through. They may have the intention but He has the power over all His creatures to hold or let them loose. God determines our boundary. That's why a quick reminder in Psalm 127:1 would do.
"But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts" - David said this also after Goliath had disdained him and boasted as to how he'll feed him away to fowls. He was counteracting Goliath not by what Goliath brought to the field or trusted in but by esteeming and acknowledging God. What you esteem and have utmost trust in as weapon would be revealed in the evil day. That is what your pronouncement and care would be around. That'll be what you'll care reaching for or invoking. For David, it was God. He couldn't have boasted in anything. When he told of his former achievements, it was to convince all to let him take on Goliath but never to dazzle, exercise pride or show dependence in his own strength. God as He said is in whose name he has come to do battle. What a thing! He didn't esteem himself as the warrior who would get it done. He rather said, "God will deliver you into my hands and I will smite you down so that all the earth may know that there's a God in Israel." What's David's end result for wanting to confront Goliath? So that all glory might be God's. That's the meaning of "so that all the earth may know there's a God in Israel." It is not, "so that they'll know I'm the son of Jesse or a mighty warrior." Did you see any boast in oneself there? All David said and exhibited counteracted all Goliath did. He so much trusted in his own might as to say, "choose a man that he may fight me. If he wins vice versa."
Brethren, emulate David. Always acknowledge God in your journey of what you'll face or that'll face you. Don't be wise in your own conceit or lean on your own understanding. God has wisdom and strategies to give you if you'll ever cultivate a heart and desire to find out. Invoke God, deliver the challenge to Him and at victory, attribute the glory also to Him. Only few become mature by years who still humble themselves before the Lord this way. Rather, they steal the show and name it theirs. They're under the influence of deception brought by mastery. Experience can endanger you especially if you're a minister. It is what won't make you enquire of God how He'll want you do a routine anew because you already have hows for it. David showed humility. He acknowledged God as He who will still give him victory like before in the face of his new challenge. God would like you be this humble at heart even if you have had a portfolio of achievement before. You may be an adult but you're still God's boy or girl. Reveal your need of Him. Never become Uzziah who thrusted himself into what was not his calling because he had reached the "made strong stage." This same Uzziah wouldn't have had such boldness to defy God in his early days (II Chronic.26:18). As you go, always carry the humility of "I just came" before God though with the inner confidence of "I've been here" before men. Men wants to see if you're competent and confident but God wants to see if you're teachable, referencing and loyal. May you always say like a newcomer, "I come to you in the name of the Lord" irrespective of how masterful or sophisticated you've become.
PRAYER: Teach me the ways of disciples. May I esteem you as my greatest weapon and wisdom. May my sophistication not suffocate me.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27
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