Topic: The Foundation of Public Victories  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 6 July 2021

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Above Only Devotional

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

The Foundation of Public Victories

1 Samuel 17:32-37 (GNB)
…“Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.” “No,” answered Saul. “How could you fight him? … “Your Majesty,” David said, “I take care of my father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. And if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, …The LORD has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine.”

The foundation for public victories are secret victories. We do not waste our time when we stand strong and make the right decisions when we are alone and without cheering onlookers. God is using that experience to prepare and position us to do exploits in the open. As Joseph remained faithful in serving God, abstaining from evil, working diligently and showing love and interpreting the dreams of others even when no one was watching, God was preparing him and positioning him to become a successful Prime Minister in Egypt. When David was alone in the field taking care of his father’s sheep, he did not allow the fact that no one was watching to cause him to misbehave in any way. Rather, he took advantage of those moments to work diligently. I believe he also used some of that time to worship, fellowship and grow in his relationship with God. This must have been when he began discovering himself, writing Psalms, playing the harp and learning how to shoot the sling. He did not allow the challenges that he faced from a lion and bear to cause him to abandon his work (his father’s sheep). Rather, he was willing to risk his life for the sheep and God granted him victory over the lion and the bear. It was during this secret training that David developed the capacity of a great leader that was after God’s heart.

Many challenges and opportunities for exploits will not announce themselves before arriving. On the day that David confronted Goliath, he was simply obeying his father’s instructions to take food to his brothers on the battle field. Thank God he was prepared. By the life of Christ in you, you have the ability to do what is right always, even when no one is watching. You will always be prepared.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the grace you have given me in Christ to always do what is right, even when no one is watching.

Bible in One Year Reading Plan
1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4, Acts 24:1-27, Psalm 4:1-8, Proverbs 18:16-18