Athletic Gifts and Fitness Come From God. 2 Samuel 22:8-18, 30-40.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inGod Equips the Saints, God is the Giver of Blessings, God is the Hero of This Story, God is the Potter/Creator/Master Artist, God rescues, Serve with talents, gifts, energy, time, and more, UncategorizedTags:, , , , , , , , ,

Pictured: Marshall Wales, NCAA Division 1 playoffs, spring of 2023. Sam Houston vs. Oregon State.

God is the first and greatest athlete. Don’t think so? What weight can He not lift? What speed can He not travel? What target will He fail to hit?

Surely the best-known athlete in the Bible is David. And David clearly gives God all the credit for his gifts. In 2 Samuel 22, David writes that God performed the most amazing, most dramatic rescue in history—the rescue itself is described in terms worthy of an Olympic event:

“The earth shook because God burned with anger, He rode on a cherub with clouds under His feet, a consuming fire came from His mouth… The Lord thundered from heaven, the Most High projected His voice. He shot arrows and scattered my enemies, He hurled lightning bolts and routed them. He reached down from heaven and pulled me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy…” 2 Samuel 22:8-18.

After God rescues David, He trains him for war.

“With God, I can attack a fortress, and with God’s help, I can leap over a wall…. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me safely on the mountain heights. He trains my hands for war, my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me a shield and a wide, flat place to walk. My ankles do not give way. You have clothed me with strength for battle” 2 Samuel 22:30-40.

Count the athletic gifts:

  1. He can attack a fort.
  2. Leap over a wall.
  3. Run like a deer.
  4. Fight.
  5. Shoot arrows with a bronze bow.
  6. Shield himself from the enemy.
  7. He is sure-footed; no broken ankles.
  8. He is strong.

David, a famous athlete before the word “athlete” was invented, knows that his gifts and training come from God.

Never forget the One Who is your source and Who gets the credit and the glory, whether your athletic gifts are your work or your hobby, your vocation or your avocation.

ΑΩ

Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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