As I listened to the sermon this morning on 1 Samuel 17, something new jumped out at me. Maybe it’s because of my emphasis this year on loving others well.

“And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines…” 1 Samuel 17:52

The men rose because they, first, had been down. They were cowering in fear, fleeing from the enemy, discouraged and, most likely, a little ashamed (verses 11, 24.) What changed for these men?

They watched David live out what he believed. They saw a shepherd boy’s faith play out in a fight to the death. Seeing David’s faith strengthened their own.

One way I can love my neighbor is to live out my faith in front of them. Seeing God work through my circumstances may just be what gives someone else the courage to rise up.