Honouring God When It Costs You Something: Eric Liddell and 1 Samuel 2:30

Honouring God When It Costs You Something: Eric Liddell and 1 Samuel 2:30

"For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." (1 Samuel 2:30, KJV)

Some lessons are easiest to see in a real life. In 1924 Eric Liddell, a Scottish sprinter, travelled to the Paris Olympics as one of his country's best hopes in the 100 metres. Then he learned that the heats would be held on a Sunday. Because of his convictions about keeping the Lord's day, he refused to run in them, even though it meant giving up his favoured race.

He switched to the 400 metres, which was held on a weekday, and he won it. Liddell later became an ordained Congregational minister in 1932 and spent his working life as a missionary, having been born in China to missionary parents.

The lesson is not that obedience always ends with a gold medal. Often the reward is quieter: a clear conscience and a testimony that outlives the race. What matters is that Liddell decided in advance whom he would honour.

Prayer point: Lord, give us courage to honour You in the small and big decisions this week, whatever it costs.

Over to you:
- When did you choose to honour God in a decision, and what happened afterwards?
- What is the "Sunday heat" in your own life right now, and how can we pray with you about it?

Sources: Wikipedia, "Eric Liddell"; the Holy Bible (KJV).
Photo: Eric Liddell, via Wikimedia Commons