Underdogs

Abraham and Sarah were old, and she was barren, yet God caused them conceived a child in their old age (Genesis 32).

 Joseph was thrown into a pit to die (at age 17), sold into slavery, accused of rape, falsely imprisoned, only to become prime minister of one of the greatest nations on earth.

 Moses, son of a Hebrew slave, was sent down the river, for his own safety, from the Egyptians, yet, in God’s mercy, he was raised among Egyptian Royalty, and in his mercy, allowed Moses to lead one of the weakest nations on earth, ultimately to conquer a land of giants (Exodus).

Gideon led an army of 300 to defeat an army of thousands; by God’s mercy, they were given the victory (Judges 6-8).

 David was a small, shepherd boy, son of a poor man, whom God chose to anoint to become the next King of Israel, defeated a 9-foot giant in battle (1 Samuel 16-17).

 The Samaritan Women at the well, who had had many husbands, and was living with a man who was not her husband, God in his great mercy, used to bring others to Jesus Christ (John 4).

 Jesus Christ was born into a poor, stonecutter’s family, son of a young virgin woman, came into this world in a dark, damp cave, to be placed in a manger, where the animals ate, slept, and released their waste.  Yet he grew in both favor of God and man, and ministered to the poor and down trodden, revealing God’s grace and mercy, so that even our deepest, darkest sins might be forgiven.  And although, being in the form of God, made himself nothing, became obedient to death, even death on the shameful cross.  “For this reason also, God highly exalted him, and has given him a name that every knee should bow . . .  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ in Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, Philippians 4).