The Making of a True Champion

The Making of a True Champion
Words of Faith 10-17-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 17:12-22
Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul's time he was old and well advanced in years. [13] Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. [14] David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, [15] but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem. [16] For forty days, the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. [17] Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. [18] Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. [19] They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines." [20] Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. [21] Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. [22] David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers.

As we shall see, David was the real champion. He was a real man, reaching the peak of his strength as he walked closely with God. David is introduced into the story, and in these few lines, we gain great insight into his making and character.
We know that David was the youngest of eight boys. The three oldest boys were warriors in Saul's army. Samuel had anointed David in a ceremony that must have baffled his older brothers at least a bit. But now, he was just a shepherd and runner for the family.
Now that the battle lines were drawn in the Valley of Elah between the Israelites and the Philistines, David was doing double duty, watching flocks back in Bethlehem and running supplies up to the battle. But even in this circumstance, we can see the making and quality of the one who would be called "a man after God's own heart."
We don't have to look far before we notice that David was not afraid to serve or work. Even though he had been anointed to be the next King of Israel, David was still faithful to his family's responsibilities. He was diligent in his duties with the flock assigned to him. He carefully ensured his flock would be cared for when he traveled to Elah.
David was also faithful to his father and his brothers. He did as his father directed, risking the journey to the front lines with supplies. David did not allow it to interfere with his faithful devotion to them if there was any jealousy on the part of these older brothers or any conflict out of the ritual with Samuel. He brought the brothers the food, supplies, and greeting of home. He greeted them warmly in anticipation of gaining information to carry home.
What we see in David is a young man who was secure in who God had made him to be and in the assignments he was given. David was not one to question the fact that he was not allowed into battle or assigned something bigger. Amazingly, the man who would become the greatest worship poet of all time and the most powerful man in all of Israel was so focused on other people rather than himself. He was diligent with the small assignments and faithful with the large ones.
What do we learn here? The path to the palace is not to have a path. The journey to high places begins on some humble back roads. The way to the top starts with faithfulness in the smallest of assignments. This is the character of a true champion. This is the making of a legend.
Don't misunderstand. To use humility as a method would be to miss it entirely. Simple faithfulness cannot be faked or forged; it is the foundation that will lead us to the place we are supposed to be and to the fulfillment of our calling.
The guidance for the day? Be faithful in the little things. Care about the essential things... people. Be careful when completing your assigned responsibilities, and you might show up in a place where you will be a true champion.

Father God, I want nothing more than to fulfill what You have planned for my life and my days. I commit myself to the small places and tasks You have before me. I give myself to the relationships You have entrusted to me. Give me Your direction and Your peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.