Victory and Defeat

If you love sports like I do then the summer Olympics are a treat and this year’s games in Paris were no exception. There are so many captivating story lines as individual athletes or national teams vie for gold. What grabs my attention just as much as the sporting events are the individuals who rise above challenges to compete at the highest level. Serbian male tennis player, Novak Djokovic, captured the men’s singles tennis competition at age 37 which is ancient in the tennis world. Now, Djokovic has some detractors who have turned him into a villain at times, but he is open about his faith and, in fact, donated his entire 200,000 Euro Olympic prize money to humanitarian causes.

When we read the Old Testament account of David’s life we see some similarities. As a young man, he was chosen by God to lead Israel and establish the city of Jerusalem as its capital. He was instrumental in unifying the fledgling nation and defeating its enemies. David was also a devout follower of God and was described as man after God’s own heart, with Jesus himself tracing his lineage through the line of David.

But David was not without his faults or critics and rightfully so. There were numerous times in his life when he made impulsive decisions or poor choices, none more glaring than his decision to take Uriah’s wife and have Uriah killed in battle. Yet, despite these overt sins, he was used mightily to influence many.

To find yourself wondering about God’s ability to use you? Do you carry sin in your life that makes you feel unworthy? Do not listen to Satan’s lies and allow him to defeat your zeal for Christ. Confess your sins, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you anew, and watch God grab ahold of your life to accomplish great things.

God, use me today to accomplish your plans and purposes. I acknowledge my failings and desire to live more faithfully each day. Fill me with your Spirit and empower me to witness your power at work in my weakness.

Throughout this day: Ask God to fill you with his Spirit and look for opportunities to bring glory to him.