FCA: The Relentless Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Living by Faith

Clay Elliott

READY:

“Then David said, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine...” – 1 Samuel 17:37

SET:

When David was a teenager he had a job tending his dad’s sheep. Sounds boring, huh? Sitting out in the field all day … counting sheep. Yawn! But he had to be on guard because danger could be lurking around the corner at any time! So, he spent part of his downtime developing his ability to handle a slingshot while he hung out with God and the sheep at the same time.

As a teenager your life may be as boring as tending sheep, but we can learn a lot by observing David. We can be developing other skills to prepare us to become a sharp tool ready for God’s purposes at the right time.

In the verse above David states clearly that God will help him defeat the 9-foot-tall Philistine giant. How could he make this statement? Because, he walked with God while developing his earthly skills. The victory comes from God and David working together. David was prepared, and God is always prepared! This is living by faith.

Bold faith is like a muscle, use it or lose it. The more intentional we are in our walk with God while developing earthy skills the better instrument we are for God’s purposes. David could have just sat around watching his sheep all day and satisfied the bare minimum of shepherding, but he didn’t. He actually became an expert in many things—slingshot, harp, writing and leading. And so can you!

GO:

1. What are you doing to develop your life of faith?
2. What skills can God use in you to help make a difference in your community?

WORKOUT:

Hebrews 11
Daniel 1
Nehemiah 1

OVERTIME:

Father, I desire to walk boldly in faith. Help me to develop my skills while we hang together. In Jesus name I pray, amen.