Opinions..., Everybody has One

Opinions - everybody has one. Some when shared add value and insight to a given situation. Others can just add to the drama of an already discouraging moment. What is it that makes the difference?

David was a young shepherd boy out tending his fathers sheep in the hills surrounding Bethlehem. His father called for him to take some food to his three older brothers who were off to war with the Philistines. David left his flock with another shepherd and off he went with the grain, bread and cheese.

As he arrives at the battlefield, David hears the battle cry as the army is taking up its position for war. Goliath the Philistine champion is taunting the Israelites, defying them to take him on in a fight to the death. Winner takes all. David begins to ask around among Israels fighting warriors, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David's older brother Eliab over hears his conversation and it is now "game on"!

28 "When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." (1 Samuel 17)

I don't know if any of you are the older sibling in your family..., but being the baby I certainly have been on the receiving end of a beat down just like this a time or two. Eliab wasted no time in sharing his opinion of his brother with the other soldiers. To him, David was shirking his responsibilities at home, meddling in his brothers business, conceited, wicked and only there to be nosey and see what was going on. Eliab's opinion of his little brother David had been made perfectly clear.

Are you listening to an Eliab today? Are you allowing someone to make you feel like you are, stupid, ugly, unworthy, not loved or _________ (you fill in the blank). Let me encourage you today to take God's Word over the opinions of others. What does the Bible say?

• "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14
• "...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
• "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" Psalm 103:17
• But the woman who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:3

God knows us! He loves us! He created us just like we are and He calls us wonderful!

Like David, we must take God's Word over the opinions of others. David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." He went out and killed that giant with one smooth stone and a sling.

Do not lose heart! Remember who you are and whose you are! You are a daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!