FAITH CAPSULE:Do not become a victim of failure in the journey of life.

1 Samuel 18

In the journey of life, one must pay attention but not focus on forces such as cheers and jeers which sounds in one’s direction. However, it is important for one not to allow cheers and jeers to replace the word of God as encouraging force to arrive at expected end of journey in life. Cheers can be expression of thanks in one’s direction while jeers which is speaking or crying out with derision or mockery can also sound in in one’s direction. As a leader or to be holding up a position, receiving cheers and jeers is an unavoidable route and it is important for one to be careful and not become a victim of failure in the journey of life.
David, a man after God’s own heart could not avoid cheers and jeers from sounding in his direction.
Philistines and Goliath stood a ground of war against the Israelite. Goliath made a provoking statement, “Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”  And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine; they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” (1 Samuel 17:8-10) It was the statement of Goliath that provoked David and made David to respond as it is written, “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?” (1 Samuel 17:26)
David eventually killed Goliath as the Israelites overcame Philistine and cheers from the Israelites was directed to David as recorded, “…when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.  So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:6-7)
The same David that was cheered by the Israelites was embarrassingly jeered by the Israelite. While David was still King, the heart of the men of Israel went with Absalom and David had no choice but to vacate the throne to run for his life. As David was fleeing curses and stones were the unimaginable jeers that were thrown at David. (2Samuel 16:5-14) David, a man after God’s heart experienced cheers and jeers but remained on track without distraction. David was focused to arrive at his expected journey of life.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of God not to become a victim of world around you.