New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was named the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year, recognizing excellence on and off the field. Davis, who completed his ninth season in the NFL, led his team in tackles (119) for the third straight season and helped his team advance to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2020. During the 2019 season, he made headlines when the NFL fined him $7,000 for wearing a headband that read “Man of God” during a game. Davis discussed his faith in his book, The Unsuccessful Champion: Finding True Victory in the Midst of Adversity. He discussed how his beliefs about God determined his actions on and off the field. “I came from nothing,” Davis wrote. “Not that I’m ashamed of this. In fact, I’m proud of it. I love my story because it’s just that—mine. As messy as it may be, I know God has redeemed every event in my life to piece together the puzzle that makes up Demario Davis.”

1 Samuel 13-14 – Replaceable 

First Samuel 13-14 introduces a man who will eventually replace Saul, whose heart was not following God. David would become the “man of God” in the Old Testament. Saul was consumed with himself rather than God and ignored God, leading to his leadership’s abrupt end. David was “a man after (God’s) own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). A man after God’s own heart is completely committed to following the Word of God.

Saul showed he was more committed to expedience than obedience when he ignored God’s spiritual leadership requirements. Saul reacted not by faith but based on what he saw. He feared losing his men and ignored what God wanted him to do when faced with difficult circumstances. 

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete’s hearts are right with God. They are committed to following Him and His Word regardless of how difficult the circumstances become.

Bible Memory Verse – “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have reproached.’” 1 Samuel 17:45 (LSB)