CHAMPION

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory… – 1 Samuel 2:8a

A CHAMPION is a Victor, Winner or Overcomer. There are two dimensions to being a champion. First, is a person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest, competition or series of competitions; one who defeats all opponents so as to hold first place; and usually wins a laurel or prize. Second, is a person who vigorously fights for or defends a cause. As a verb, to champion means to protect or fight for something. On both counts, Goliath had been fighting for the cause of the Philistines and winning unchallenged, until he encountered David, who prior to then did not look like a champion, but had been groomed by Jehovah in the closet (1 Sam.17:4,23). On that occasion power changed hands, and the greater champion manifested in the person of David (1Sam.17:51). In all of life’s situations, CHALLENGES make CHAMPIONS! So, you need not be fearful about facing challenges; they are often the pedestal to Victory!

Among human beings, the champion is one who stands for the people, the best the people can offer. From a divine perspective however, the Greatest Champion in human history is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not attain championship on a platter of gold. No, Jesus engaged the greatest enemy of mankind – Satan, and defeated him. This was in fulfilment of prophesy: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen.2:15). The outcome of the contest is in Hebrews 2:14b-15: “…through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Besides overcoming Satan – the devil – the Lord Jesus Christ also overcame sin and the world. He is the all-time Winner, the Number One Champion!

His Championship over sin makes us who believe in Him champions also: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15). He also overcame the world: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jh.16:33). Jesus is the number one Winner; He won to make us winners. The battles he won, He won for us who would believe in Him. Every battle you are facing in life is a fall-out of that old battle Jesus already won for you. He “destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb.2:14b). He destroyed the works of the devil so that you might be delivered from the yokes of sin, sickness, poverty, and evil bondage. He defeated your archenemy, in order to make you a champion. In Christ, you are a Kingdom-champion, raised to glorify God.

Hannah, the barren-turned-mother of Samuel knew what it meant to be a champion and the mother of a Kingdom-champion. She encountered the Lord who transforms destinies; and prophesied her conviction (1Sam.2). God raises His champions out of the dust and lifts the beggarly from the dunghill, making them to keep company with people of influence and affluence. He transforms a beggar into a prince: “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory…” (1 Sam. 2:8a). What low estate can be worse than living in a dunghill, one who has little or no prospect of becoming notable in life? God is the Unchanging Changer and Lifter-up of heads. Irrespective of your current condition, situation or status, God has destined to make a champion out of you. He’ll turn you into an amazing “wonder” to your world: “I have become as a wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge” (Psa.71:7).