God is on the Side of the Underdog
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2
Last month we saw some of the most exciting events in sports – the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (for you non-sport fans, please be patient). For the first time in the tournament’s seventy nine (79) year history, a number sixteen seed defeated – upset a number one seed. What is it about us that we cheer for the underdog?
Not only in sports, but politics, entertainment and business, we seem to have a special place in our hearts for the least favored, the less-likely, the down and outer, etc. Could it be because many of us can identify with the underdog?
I suspect that several of us were counted out at an early age. Our skin was too dark, our hair was too curly, we were too short, to heavy, too poor, not enough education, from the wrong side of the tracks, and the list goes on.
Let me encourage you. The Lord placed I Samuel 22:1-2 on my heart and I shared it with the congregation. It seemed to bless them, so I thought you may enjoy it as well.
Note the people David attracted: they were distressed, in debt and discontented. In I Samuel 14:52, we find that King Saul drafted all of the strong and valiant men – an all-star team if you will. I contend that God is on the side of the underdog.
In Deuteronomy 7:7, God reminds Moses He did not choose Israel over Egypt because they were more numerous. In the New Testament, Paul asked God three times to remove the thorn from his flesh. God responds that His Grace was sufficient and His strength is made perfect through our weakness (II Corinthians 12:8-10).
Note the list of underdogs God worked through: Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys, Ezekiel, Ezra and Nehemiah, David, the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, and you and I!
Stop looking at the odds. Stop focusing on your weaknesses and look to God’s strength. Let the world place their confidence on the favored: we’re positioned for a great upset!
God is on the side of the underdogs!!
I bless you in the name of the Lord!
Elder Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.
Holiness Tabernacle COGIC, Founder & Pastor