Sennacherib, king of Assyria was one bad dude. As commander-in-chief of the most advanced army of its time, they had not lost a battle in over 150 years, and were known for their brutality. They would take captive any survivors, and putting a hook in their captive's noses, would chain them together and march them back to Assyria in a death march. A reputation, and a performance that scared and intimidated their enemies. And unfortunately, there is still a bit of Senncherib is all of us today.
When I graduated from high school, I applied at Seton Hall. Where I was told my grades didn't match my SAT scores, showing I didn't work up to my potential. So it was off to Union College-which used to be Union Junior College, but had dropped the Junior, which made it sound more sophisticated. Not quite Ivy League, more like poison ivy, but without the JC stigma either. And to the unknowing, we used to say it was a small, private school. Ignorance has its rewards.
But it also has its liabilities, and we were assigned to an off campus location. Last year this school building was a grocery store, but had been converted into a school. Thirteenth grade, as we referred to Union, and in a grocery store. Where once they stored carts, or ran specials on toilet paper, we began our quest for a higher education. At the bottom of the food chain-no pun intended. But as part of Union College, we were allowed to participate in all activities, and flag football was an institution at Union. So we signed up.
Our team consisted of Nippy, Crazy, Leo Homo-a true ladies man, Pinky, who sang and looked like Elvis, and could be heard singing Teddy Bear at the line of scrimmage, and Clemenza-leave the gun and bring the canoles like in the Godfather. Scroc, aka Tony Rome, a graduate from Willowbrook, an infamous mental institution on Long Island, where they got his many personalities into a few that would at least work in public, or on the field. Add to that Eagle-a true Eagle Scout who once dated my sister. When asked why he always called her Susie Mohn, he replied "so he didn't get her confused with the knife Boosh always carried, named Susie." And lastly, our team captain, Lance. Who had just returned from the Army, and wore his fatigues to play in, tucked into his boots. An ex-infantryman, who when asked did you ever kill anyone, would answer, "no one I ever met." Which I'm sure was reassuring to the other team. And we were called ACE, after a kid who was into pot and pickles, but was considered cool.
Did I mention we were good? Undefeated really. No losses. But no wins either. Somehow we had managed to tie every game, giving us a perfect 0-0-6 record. The closest we came to losing was the last game when I ran back a kickoff for a touchdown on the last play of the game. But our reputation was saved for the last play of the game, when we went after the biggest jerk on the other team. You got tired of the grocery store jokes, and so we would pick out the biggest offender, offense or defense it didn't matter. If the play went right, we went left just to get him. And if he wasn't in, we would go after him on the sideline. And like in our last game, when the referee had been chiding us, we chased him to his car. Where he locked himself inside-in front of the Athletic Director who had come to watch, he had heard about us, our first season and already a legend. Who banned us from flag football for life. And we were hurt, and surprised when he wouldn't let us sign up for basketball. Maybe it was our run and gun offense.
Unlike us, Hezekiah was a good man and a good king, who got a note to surrender or be defeated from Sennacherib. And unlike many of us when confronted with danger, he didn't panic. But laid out the letter before God, and said "tell us what to do." He started to worship-getting his eyes off the situation and onto God. Worship wipes out worry. Then he turned the whole thing over to God, and gave the problem to God for His glory. For God has ways we don't know of, until we ask. And God answered, in a way Hezekiah would not have known. He sent an angel, who defeated the Assyrians, without a single life lost to Hezekiah. And then when Sennacherib saw that it was God who had defeated him, he went to his own temple, and worshipped his own God, wondering why he had let him down. And in his final battle, two of his sons who had heard their father was turning over the kingdom to a third, pushed the statue of Sennacherib's god over on him. You might say it was a crushing defeat.
Today your enemy might be a team like ACE. Or a bill due, or cancer, or foreclosure, or whatever trial is facing you. Praise God first, then give Him the problem. And watch as He takes care of it for you. But-no coaching from the sidelines. Go with the play Jesus gives you, and watch as your record goes from no wins to no losses. Vince Lombardi was close when he said "winning isn't everything, it is the only thing." That thing is really a someone. For Jesus is everything, and the only thing. Just ask Hezekiah. And the millions who still trust God today. Jesus paid the price for sins, with a victory on the cross.
Go with a winner-Jesus. Still undefeated-He even conquered death, and is waiting for you to worship Him-and to help in any and all situations. Don't wait until the last play of your life to get saved-be victorious now, and enjoy the life God has to offer you. Unless you are on His team, you will never experience the victory!
And ties don't count! So make the right choice today! Sure beats hiding in your car from the enemy! Or getting crushed by the things you shouldn't worship! Jesus Christ-everything and the only thing!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com