The Day of Opportunity
One day, David's three brothers had followed King Saul to war. It was a war with the Philistines and Goliath, the Philistine champion presented Israel a golden opportunity: “…Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:8-9).
No one in the Israelite army accepted Goliath’s challenge though he gave them a chance to for 40 days. But on a special day, David visited the Israelite army to check on his brothers while Goliath was given them another occasion to fight and David accepted the challenge. He didn’t only accept it, he won the battle and gave Israel a great victory. Like David, today is your day of opportunity.
1. Focus on the reward.
Ignore criticism and focus on the rewards that come with the opportunity. When David saw Goliath challenging the Army of Israel, he learned that King Saul would give a reward to anyone who fought with Goliath and defeat him. While David inquired of this reward, his oldest brother Eliab criticized and accused him of being a nosy spectator. David briefly addressed him and went back to focusing on the reward.
We live a world where people love to criticize and give their opinions. Instead of giving it attention, be like Jesus who held the reward before Him. When you look to the reward, it will give you motivation and drive you forward. An opening has been given to you and with this chance are precious rewards if you remain consistent. Therefore, persist and move forward.
2. Don’t neglect your tools of the trade.
After David accepted the challenge to fight Goliath, King Saul tried to put his armor on David. But David couldn’t wear it. Instead he took tools that was in his hand, a shepherds rod, a sling and five smooth stones. What was he doing? He was using what he was already skilled with. He didn’t try something new. He simply used what has given him the victory in the past.
Similarly, I want to encourage you to use what you got. The things you have been trained with are usually the keys to your breakthrough. Though Goliath mocked David for the weapons he was using, David used them to defeat him. You too will seize the opportunity and conquer it with your tools of the trade.
Today is your day! God has made it for you. In it are opportunities for victories and ascension. Present yourself, accept the opportunity with anticipation, use your tools of the trade and walk in the victory that has been prepared for you.
