David and Goliath Part 8 Courageous Obedience

# 244 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 17:25-27, “So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel." 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him." (1 Sam 17:25-27) In the Navy we called this “scuttlebutt.” “Have you heard the latest? Saul says if someone can take this guy down, he will reward him with great riches, and give him his daughter, (make him a prince) AND give his dad and all family members tax exempt status for the rest of their lives.!” Evidently the pot wasn't sweet enough because no one is stepping into the ring. Then the shepherd boy, David comes along. I'm kind of disappointed that David asks, “What shall be done for the guy who takes this guy down?” I mean, it makes it sound like David is in it for the money and the prestige. But wait a minute! Notice what he says even before they answer. He is not so worried about the reward as he is about this “reproach” to Israel. The word reproach means shame. Who is this uncircumcised guy, who has the nerve to speak against the living God and bring shame to His people? And thus David's true motives are exposed. It's not that God needs us to defend His honor. He can take care of His honor by Himself, but as followers of Jesus Christ, we should always be prepared to ask ourselves, “What's more important? Material possessions, prestige, or the honor of God?” We honor God with the way we live our lives. Seek to live with courageous obedience in the face of a godless culture. Speaking the truth with the calling card of a life lived loving God and others.