Over the weekend I was able to join thousands of others and watch the Blackhawk Christian School boys basketball team play in the 2A State Championship in Indiana. (You’ll have to keep reading to find out if they won.) Because my younger and only brother (Marc) is the head coach, I had the honor of giving a pregame devotion in the locker room of Bankers Life Fieldhouse — home of the Indiana Pacers. I shared the true story of David and Goliath with the boys as they prepared to enter the arena for warm-ups. Some of the boys looked puzzled when I opened up with this passage in the Bible. After all, Blackhawk was the higher seed — the heavy favorite to win. So why this Bible passage? It is almost always used to inspire the underdog. Hang in there with me and keep reading.

Of course, many of us have known the story of David and Goliath for most of our lives. The account can be found in 1 Samuel 17. You know how it goes...

David was just a boy, the youngest in his family. He was not even in the Israelite army ranks. His father kept him home from the battle to watch over their livestock and attend to the daily chores. David had no experience in fighting apart from wrestling with his 7 older brothers who probably got him to “cry uncle” plenty of times. In preparing for the confrontation with the giant, David couldn’t even wear the armor provided for him by King Saul because he was too small. (David didn’t shop in the big-and-tall section at Walmart.) And then there’s Goliath. Yes, he was 9’9” tall...and yes, his armor weighed 125 pounds...and yes, his spear weighed about 35 pounds...and yes, he was an undefeated fighter — “a champion from Gath.” We know from the account in 1 Samuel that Goliath had been fighting “from his youth.” He was raised as a trained killer in a barbaric culture. To say he held the heavyweight belt would be an understatement. Goliath was the G.O.A.T. — at least until that day in the Valley of Elah. 

Any Hollywood script would highlight the overwhelming odds in favor of Goliath. But take some time to read the story again from a heavenly perspective — God’s point of view. We will quickly realize that Goliath was the underdog, not David. Goliath didn’t stand a chance! 

I love the imagery provided for us in verse 48 — “David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him [Goliath].” This was not a sneak attack. David met the giant with enthusiasm and courage. Sounds crazy, right? But not if we read the story carefully. Notice David’s conversation with the giant as the encounter began. While Goliath mocked and laughed at what he thought to be the most unworthy opponent he had ever faced, check out David’s response in vv. 45, 46: “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty...This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands….” You know how the story ends — exactly as David had predicted.

The Timothy community has faced challenges of our own all year long. Many of us have also faced personal challenges, “giants,” of various kinds. Perhaps it feels like the odds are often stacked against us. At times these challenges seem overwhelming. It can feel hopeless. Yet we endure by the power of God. And not only have we endured...but victory is promised for the follower of Christ — if not in this world, certainly in the eternity of Heaven. Our adversary, the devil, doesn’t stand a chance if we stand on the promises of God.

OK...back to the ballgame I mentioned in the opening paragraph...Blackhawk won the game — STATE CHAMPS!

Team Davidson celebrating the big win on Saturday night (sadly minus my three kids, their spouses, and our grandson).

It was a great game. But that’s not the victory that counts, and it’s certainly not the point or the climax of this article. A 32 minute game on a basketball court, although entertaining and worth cheering for, would not be considered a difficult battle for many. What I didn’t share earlier is that my younger brother, Marc, is battling cancer. He’s in a battle for his life. He is a godly husband and father of 7 children and now 2 daughters-in-law...and I should add that he’s the best brother. He is one of my heroes, and a man I love dearly.

He teaches PE and coaches at Blackhawk Christian School in Fort Wayne, IN, and God has used him mightily throughout his life. Now as Marc faces this “giant” of cancer, his testimony is one of victory — no matter what! — and he is impacting many lives for Christ across the state of Indiana and even around the world. He is using this trial to advance the gospel. Take a moment to read the article and watch the video in this link for some inspiration. This appeared in the IndyStar a few weeks ago. (There have been plenty of other tributes to my brother in the press since the state championship.) This is a powerful and very real reminder of seeing life’s challenges from God’s perspective. As David so accurately stated in v. 47: “...the battle is the Lord’s....” We do our part...and we give it our best. And then we leave the rest with God.

The photo above is the back of the warm-ups of one of Blackhawk's opponents in the playoff run. How cool is that!

Press on, Timothy.