Martha Olawale

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31

The world measures strength by physical prowess, wealth, fame, and connections. To be accepted, you either look the part or pay the fine. It’s instinctively embedded in our humanity to gravitate towards people who seem more put together. If two men walk into a room and one of them looks strong and well-dressed while the other is less “impressive,” our natural response is to give more attention to the former.

The redemption story does not fit into our worldly expectations in any way. God was intentional in the choices surrounding the birth of Christ. His earthly heritage was anything but glamorous and although He was “majesty personified” by virtue of His Godhood, He came as the firstborn son of a carpenter from an oppressed group.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story of David and Goliath. It’s a great example of how God measures strength, and a clear display of unhinged courage in the El Gibbor (God the Almighty). The entire army, including the king, was menaced by a giant because he looked and sounded stronger than everyone. He was so sure no man would dare stand up to him, saying “This day I defy the armies of Israel!” 1 Samuel 17:10a.

Goliath might be taller than everyone on the battlefield, but a man is as strong and wise as his walk with God. David understood this and although he was not even qualified to fight in the battle against the Philistines because he was too young, he ended the war with a simple slingshot. Unlike the armies of Israel, David was unperturbed by the height or weight of Goliath. He was more upset that he dared defiled the armies of the living God (1 Samuel 17:26).

Despite all the challenges David faced, he declared in Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” He was in a league of his own because He walked with God. If you walk with God, you don’t have to run faster than everyone or be the most famous in the room because the root of your strength is in the Almighty. As long as you stay focused on Him and continue to pursue His purpose for your life, you are guaranteed victory over the Goliaths on the battlefield.