"OVERCOMING - AGAINST ALL ODDS"
The Tour de France has begun again as of last Saturday. Once again, the attention goes to the former seven time winner who made a comeback after retirement and placed third last year. I’m speaking, of course, about Lance Armstrong. Lance is an over-comer whose story surpasses bicycle racing and reaches into a part of life that touches all of us; he's been blessed to overcome cancer. Of course, not all the over-comers in life get as much recognition as Lance and may not accomplish all that he has been blessed to accomplish, but they are over-comers nevertheless.
When you see a person like Lance Armstrong overcoming the odds and living, let alone racing a bicycle, and winning the most grueling race of all - it gives everyone a renewal of hope, and a desire to press on.
The Bible is a book full of overcoming and hope. One of my favorites is the account of David and Goliath. You probably know the story from childhood but let me refresh your memory. David was not a warrior and did not have adequate armor or military equipment. David was small in stature. David was a very young shepherd. Goliath was a giant, over nine feet tall. Goliath was heavily armed and very experienced in military tactics. When David heard how the army of Israel was held at bay by the giant and how Goliath cursed God, David stepped forward to fight the giant single-handed. When King Saul questioned David's brave gesture here's how he replied:
1 Samuel 17:34-37 (ESV) 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"
Notice: David's confidence was based upon the little victories along the way. He had learned to depend upon God and to recognize God's hand working in his life. Therefore as the greater challenges came, he could just fall back on what had been his strength and confidence in the past. Likewise, as we go through life's challenges, and we all have little ones and big ones every day, if we could learn to recognize those little victories and give thanks to God it will prepare us for facing further challenges.
David’s story of overcoming all odds gets better. As David approached Goliath, the giant laughed and cursed at David. However, David never left his focus or his source of confidence.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV) 45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand."
You know the rest of the story. It took just one stone in David's sling that hit Goliath in the one point of his armored head that was most vulnerable. You wonder how it got there? Later in life, David recalls:
Psalms 116:1-6 (ESV) 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!" 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
You may not be facing a giant like Goliath, but you may be facing the giant of cancer or any of the other discouragements that life can bring. You, like David can overcome. God is there to help you, too. Recognize his help in the little things and trust Him in the greater challenges. You'll be amazed and you'll overcome all the odds.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Bob is the pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, Florida. See www.ccpconline.org for church information and listen to Bob’s latest sermons.
FCA Endurance – Clearwater – We have registered and are forming a Clearwater Huddle of the FCA Endurance team. We will be announcing a “start up meeting” in the coming month. Check my website for updates and/or send me an email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please pass the word to athletes in the Clearwater area. For information about FCA Endurance see www.fcaendurance.com .
