OUR DAILY BREAD Sunday, March 19, 1995 --------------- READ: 1 Samuel 17:31-50 CHRIST OUR CHAMPION "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -- 1 Corinthians 15:57 If ever anyone needed a champion, the Israelites did. As their army camped in the Valley of Elah, they were held at bay and embarrassed daily by the tauntings of the Philistine strongman Goliath. David, the young shepherd son of Jesse, had brought provisions for his brothers in the army. When he heard Goliath mocking the Israelites, he was furious and asked for permission to go out and fight him. David was confident that the God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37) would give him victory over the giant -- and He did. David's conquest reminds us of Jesus Christ's victory. We were hopelessly enslaved by sin and needed a champion. Then God sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. He came to earth as a man, faced all our human trials (Heb. 2:14-15), and went to battle on our behalf. In His death and resurrection, Jesus won complete victory over sin and death (1 Cor. 15:54-57). What's more, His triumph guarantees us victory in our daily walk with God. But we can't expect success in our own strength. We must rely on the Holy Spirit's power and guidance. Then, as we walk with God in faith, we can more fully appreciate the victory our Champion has brought us. -- David C. Egner I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I'll tell, How the victory He giveth Over sin and death and hell. -- Bliss -------------------------------------------- THOUGHT FOR THE DAY -------------------------------------------- No matter what giants we face, we can win by God's grace. -------------------------------------------- THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 17-20 ====================================================================== Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1995, used by permission of Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC for any further posting or distribution. Radio Bible Class provides a variety of Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily from its Members and Friends. Write for more information, or call 1-800-598-7221. This copy redistributed by Larry Holder (larryh@utm.edu) with express written permission of RBC, from an original distribution by Ken Foster (kfoster@sptekwv14.wv.tek.com). Redistribution is only to individuals and lists that have expressly consented to receiving a copy. <>< ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db950319.txt .