Listen

As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.

Micah 5:2

Think

One of the greatest underdog stories in United States sports history is the 1980 men’s Olympic hockey team. The U.S. team, a collection of college and amateur players, had to get past the U.S.S.R. team to play in the gold medal game. The U.S.S.R. team was the best of the best, winning the gold medal in the previous four Olympics. Like David facing Goliath, no one gave the U.S. team a chance to win.

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and the Bible is full of them. Bethlehem was the kind of town you could skip on a trip to Jerusalem. It’s not the place in the ancient world that you’d visit hoping to catch even a glimpse of anyone important. And yet, God chooses Bethlehem to be the hometown of the Messiah! God sees worth and value in all of us. God calls each of us even, and maybe especially, when the world writes us off as worthless.

Jennifer Hawks

Question to Ponder:

When have you felt like the underdog facing insurmountable odds?

Pray

God, thank you for finding value and worth in each of us. When I’m the underdog with an impossible task, give me the courage to follow you. Amen.

Go

God sees your worth even if the world can’t. Each and every day, God chooses you. May God’s strength and mercy shine through you today so that you can share God’s love with those around you.