Lead By Example
Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:16-22
"Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?” 18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants. 19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam! 20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man...who was also a descendant of the giants. 21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. 22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them."
Observations:
As the King of Israel, David continued his reputaton as a great warrior by fighting alongside his troops in battle. Although he was the king, the fact that he stood by his troops inspired them to brave feats of courage. The fact that David as a young man took on Goliath the giant earned him a reputation as a fearless warrior. But David's legacy didn't end with him. The fact that he attempted great things on behalf of God inspired his troops to do the same. Not only did David kill Goliath, but his men also killed giants! Where on earth do you think they came up with the notion to take on armed soliders twice their size? David's example of bravery and willingness to stand with his troops on the battlefield eventually caused those around him to attempt things they never would have thought possible.
Application:
We all face personal giants that seem like impossible odds. But all it takes is for one individual to muster the guts to rise up and challenge the status quo to affect change. If it really is true that through Christ the impossible has become possible (Phillippians 4:13; Mark 9:23), then what are we waiting for? If success ultimately depends on God's ability rather than our own, then it's really only a matter of whether or not we believe that God is in fact for us, which He most certainly is (Romans 8:31). We can look to Jesus as One who led by example by stepping into our world, conquering the enemy, and find the inspiration to overcome. And as we look to Christ and find the strength we need to defy the odds, others will be inspired to find new courage through our example (1 Corinthians 11:1). As we step out in faith, God makes what was once impossible possible. To the world around us, we have both the opportunity and the privilege of inspiring others to follow in our footsteps.
Prayer:
Father, give us tenacious faith that is willing to put everything on the line for the sake of Christ. Remove the word "impossible" from our vocabularies. Help us to build the kind of legacy that inspires the world to do more and to be more for Christ than they ever dreamed possible. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?” 18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants. 19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam! 20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man...who was also a descendant of the giants. 21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea. 22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them."
Observations:
As the King of Israel, David continued his reputaton as a great warrior by fighting alongside his troops in battle. Although he was the king, the fact that he stood by his troops inspired them to brave feats of courage. The fact that David as a young man took on Goliath the giant earned him a reputation as a fearless warrior. But David's legacy didn't end with him. The fact that he attempted great things on behalf of God inspired his troops to do the same. Not only did David kill Goliath, but his men also killed giants! Where on earth do you think they came up with the notion to take on armed soliders twice their size? David's example of bravery and willingness to stand with his troops on the battlefield eventually caused those around him to attempt things they never would have thought possible.
Application:
We all face personal giants that seem like impossible odds. But all it takes is for one individual to muster the guts to rise up and challenge the status quo to affect change. If it really is true that through Christ the impossible has become possible (Phillippians 4:13; Mark 9:23), then what are we waiting for? If success ultimately depends on God's ability rather than our own, then it's really only a matter of whether or not we believe that God is in fact for us, which He most certainly is (Romans 8:31). We can look to Jesus as One who led by example by stepping into our world, conquering the enemy, and find the inspiration to overcome. And as we look to Christ and find the strength we need to defy the odds, others will be inspired to find new courage through our example (1 Corinthians 11:1). As we step out in faith, God makes what was once impossible possible. To the world around us, we have both the opportunity and the privilege of inspiring others to follow in our footsteps.
Prayer:
Father, give us tenacious faith that is willing to put everything on the line for the sake of Christ. Remove the word "impossible" from our vocabularies. Help us to build the kind of legacy that inspires the world to do more and to be more for Christ than they ever dreamed possible. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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