April 19                                          Josh 22 - 24

MAKING OF A DIVINE CHAMPION

MEMORISE: ‘I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps 3:6)
READ: 1 Samuel 17:1-11

A champion is someone who is chosen to represent a group of people. In the battle between Israel and the Philistines, Goliath was the champion who represented the Philistines, while David was the Israeli champion. One thing about being a champion is that once he is defeated, the people the champion represents are automatically defeated. Thank God we have Jesus Christ as our champion. He has never been defeated. Today, God is looking for champions who will represent the kingdom of God and stand against forces of darkness. Can God find that champion in you?

To qualify as a divine champion, you must meet with certain criteria. You must believe right within you that it is God with you who makes you victorious. One with God is a majority, even though human eyes may see it differently (Rom 8:31). God’s mathematics differs from man’s because while we add, he multiplies. When the 450 prophets of Israel confronted Elijah in 1 King 18, they thought they were fighting only him. But unknown to them, they were facing Elijah, God and his innumerable heavenly hosts. So a would-be champion should never allow the size or number of his enemies to intimidate him.

Similarly, the would-be champion must never be outweighed by the magnitude of the problem, but rather see the great opportunities and take up the challenge, knowing that ‘with God nothing shall be impossible’ (Luke 1:37).

Thirdly, the would-be champion should not focus on his limited ability, but on the fact that by his availability for God to use? For instance, to win a soul, all you have to do is preach the word and God will do the converting.

The one who would be a divine champion must be willing and obedient to follow God foolishly without arguing. For Peter, casting his net at the time he did was most ill-timed and unprofessional. It seemed foolish to him, but by obeying that foolish instruction, he got a great catch, are you prepared to be foolish for Christ? Lastly, a divine champion must maintain his loyalty to the end. Are you now ready to became a divine champion?

ACTION POINT
When confronted by a problem, remember not to focus on the problem,
But on God who enables you to solve the problem.