I sat riveted to the screen as my alma mater completed a stunning comeback in a big football game. Just after scoring in the waning seconds, a player knelt and offered a prayer. No grandstanding; no look-at-me celebratory theatrics. Just a quick, humble prayer of gratitude to God before his overjoyed teammates swarmed him.
I knew there were dedicated Christians on the other team. Surely they had prayed to do their best that day. So does God take sides in football?
Let’s expand that question. Dare we ask: What about wars? Whose side is God on? It’s a dicey topic, but it’s also the wrong question. Look at Joshua. You’d think that God would be on his side. The Lord had told him, “Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you” (Joshua 1:3).
Yet as the people of Israel stood poised to take the land, Joshua met a man with a sword in his hand. Joshua’s warrior reflexes took over, and he challenged him, “Are you friend or foe?” (Joshua 5:13).
“Neither one,” the man replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” Immediately, Joshua fell to the ground and asked the right question: “What do you want your servant to do?” (Joshua 5:14).
As we acknowledge God’s sovereignty and His authority to do what He knows is best, we can find peace in His perfect will. And as we pray for participants in athletic events or for the outcomes of wars, we know He hears us. We also know that He’s pleased and glorified as we grow in our trust in and relationship with Him.
The example of Joshua the military commander shows us that the real question isn’t “Is God on our side?” Rather, it’s “What do you want us to do?” Our victories and setbacks are fleeting. God’s plans are eternal.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
More:
Read Romans 8:31-39 and see what Paul says about God being for those who trust in Him.
Next:
What has God revealed that He wants you to do? How can you rest in God’s power as you seek to stand for Him?
Gary Shultz on December 14, 2015 at 6:41 am
The quest of the Christian life is to find the center of God’s will, for our plan to be engulfed in His plan. Much is revealed in His word, if we would only consider that as our will, with out pushing into areas God has not intended. Sometimes I feel the only rush God is in is to make sure we are not. To wait patiently on God’s plan and timing as He holds the blue print from eternity past to eternity future. I am thankful for His great and precise care for each of us. Thank you, may you enjoy the Christmas plan for you.
Tim Gustafson on December 14, 2015 at 6:48 am
Gary, your post made me grin: “… the only rush God is in is to make sure we are not.” Thank you!
Mike Wittmer on December 14, 2015 at 7:18 am
I sure hope God doesn’t take sides in sports, because He would seem to really hate my team! We lose a lot. You’re right, we should worry far more about whether we are on God’s side than whether He is on ours.
Tom Felten on December 14, 2015 at 8:25 am
Tim, during this Advent season as we ponder the birth of Jesus, may we recognize that God’s view of true power and victories. He came to earth as a helpless baby. He defeated sin and death by dying on a cross. What an amazing God!
godlove on December 14, 2015 at 11:15 am
“Our victories and setbacks are fleeting. God’s plans are eternal.”
Once we understand this, we can live in complete peace of mind, trusting in GOD always. Thanks.
Winn Collier on December 14, 2015 at 3:20 pm
That’s a good question you ask us. Thank you.