No Chance
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:5-7.
Watching the Olympic skating last night (back in 2002), I was surprised to find the drama unfolding of a 16-year-old unexpectedly winning the gold medal. Sarah Hughes said, “Tonight was probably my greatest skate ever. Going into it, I didn’t really think I had a chance for a medal, let alone a gold because I know the competition is really difficult here.” Sarah’s competitors were excellent, with years of training behind them in preparation for the few moments of last night’s event.
Over and over again in the Bible, we see that those who thought they didn’t have a chance, or the world thought didn’t have a chance, are blessed and raised up by God.
The world laughed at Noah, but he and his family were the only ones to survive the flood.
Joseph was sold into slavery, unjustly thrown into prison, and yet rises to become the second most powerful person in the most powerful country of the known world.
David was just a shepherd boy, but he slew the giant Goliath, and outlasted the onslaught of King Saul to be king of a great empire.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survived the fiery furnace, and were raised to prominence.
Daniel continued to pray to God even when it was outlawed, and was cast into the lion’s den, but survived through angelic intervention. Daniel, the Bible says, “Prospered.”
Our Lord Jesus was just a poor carpenter’s son who was rejected by the world, but the world could not change the fact that Jesus was God Incarnate, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, and He will lift you up. That is a promise that we can count on. We may not be lifted up to fame and glory on planet earth, but we will be lifted up. Peter says, “…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Peter 5:4).” “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10).”
The world may say you do not have a chance. Your own family may say you do not have a chance. Your own heart may say you do not have a chance. Do not trust in them! Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, casting all your cares, burdens, anxieties upon Him; and He will lift you up in due time. That is reality, that is truth, that is the promise of God.
(Before you give up, before you give in, ask God what His will is in the situation for your life.)