In 1832 a young American was a candidate for the legislature. He lost. In 1834 he was again a candidate and this time he won. In 1847 he went to the United States Congress but served only one term. He was not even renominated by his party. He campaigned for Zachary Taylor for president, hoping to be appointed commissioner of the General Land Office. He wasn’t. He returned to private law practice. In 1854 he again ran for the legislature and won but soon resigned because he hoped the new anti-Nebraska party would support him for the senate. They didn’t. In 1856 he was nominated for the office of vice-president of the United States and lost. In 1858 he ran again for the United States Senate and lost again. In 1860 he was simply nominated as a favorite son from Illinois for the presidency, and later that year he, Abraham Lincoln, was elected president of the United States. Like Lincoln, we must never allow yesterday’s mistakes to bankrupt tomorrow’s efforts.

  1. Beat the loin and bear.
  2. Beat a giant
  3. Ran from Saul
  4. Committed many sins
  5. Became King

Some of His final words that we can look at to see how he lived the life of risk:

  • The Lord was his Rock
    • Psalm 18:2
    • Psalm 92:15
  • The Lord was his strength
    • Exodus 15:2
    • Psalm 118:14
  • The Lord was his shield
    • Psalm 28:7
    • Psalm 33:20
  • The Lord was his stronghold
  • The Lord was his refuge
    • Joel 3:16
    • Psalm 27:1
    • Psalm 14:6
  • The Lord is his Savior
    • Isaiah 43:3
    • Philippians 3:20
  • The Lord heard his words
    • Proverbs 15:29
    • Psalm 34:17
  • The Lord was his support
    • Psalm 18:18
    • Psalm 94:18
  • The Lord was his Lamp
    • Revelation 22:5
    • Psalm 119:105

You can download the PowerPoint presentation: Risk Takers Part 3: David