KEEP SHOWING UP

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 SAMUEL 17: 1-53

FOCUS: “And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.” (1 Samuel 17: 8)

MEMORY VERSE: “When birth pangs signaled it was time to be born, Ephraim was too stupid to come out of the womb. When the passage into life opened up, he didn’t show.” (Hosea 13: 13 MSG)

In our Focal Scripture, Goliath queried the idea of the soldiers of Israel showing up to fight the battle. Goliath asked them why they came out to fight. By Goliath’s communication, he seemed to be telling them that they should not bother to fight. Goliath seemed to suggest that the entire camp of Israel should not bother to make an attempt to defeat the Philistines. Goliath inferred that the armies of Israel should stand down.

Friend, no matter how discouraged you feel, keep showing up. No matter the policies on your way, keep showing up. Keep showing up even if the enemy is speaking in your ears for you to hide in shame. Keep showing up even when the odds are not in your favour. Keep showing up even when you do not have the support you need. Keep showing up even if the Goliath’s of this world suggest that you should not be present.

Wherever there is a voice asking you to back off and end your pursuit, shock the enemy by turning up. Embarrass the enemy by showing up even when it is not convenient. Embarrass the enemy by showing up even if there are several reasons to back off. Even if your flesh or mind, want you to stand down, refuse to hearken. Don’t allow the Goliath’s of this world to convince you to walk away from the same turf where victory is waiting.

The battle against the Philistines was not won by walking away from the battle field. It was won when David stayed back to fight and defeat the giant. The victories of life belong to those who do not walk away when the going gets tough. The attainment of relevance is reserved for those who press on despite the excuses or persuasion to walk away. You will only defeat your Goliath, if you choose to show up, rather than walk away.

Welcome to that season where you must continue to show up. Welcome to that season where the Goliath’s of this world cannot scare you out of the field.

FURTHER READING: HOSEA 13

DECLARATION:

• I will keep showing up; no Goliath will cause me to go into hiding, in Jesus’ name!