Thursday, January 8, 2009

Does God Favor One Team Over Another?

Will the team that wins the NCAA National Football Championship tonight depend on whom God favors? Does God really have a favorite in any kind of competition? Does God get involved in sporting events?

Florida's quarterback tonight, Tim Tebow, is not only known for his great running and passing, but he is also known for his excellent character off the field and he is the son of a missionary couple serving in the Philippines. So does this mean that God will surely favor Florida to win the game tonight?

A lot of people often ponder and discuss such questions. And yes, being a sports fan and a teacher of the bible, I have often been asked these questions. Here are my answers.

Yes, I absolutely am convinced and there is a ton of scripture to back that God definitely blesses and favors His children (people who walk in obedience in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ). Psalm 37:4 reads "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

However, we also know in scripture that our failures, losses, and weaknesses make us stronger. Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 and 10, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." In other words, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God is saying that it's not all about winning. That some of our greatest strides, blessings, and victories in life comes through losing, failing, or defeats.

So does God favor one team over another? The answer is God is at work in the lives of the individuals involved in the contests and not just during the contest itself, but before and afterwards. So I do think that God is more interested in working in the lives of the individuals than who outscores who. Nonetheless, I do believe that there are times when God intervenes to help a team or an organization succeed or fail just like He does individuals. It just depends on what He wants to accomplish through the team's defeat or their victory. I think scripture teaches us that God always has a bigger picture in mind than we do and He is always at work in the affairs of man to get the glory that He deserves.

So who will win tonight between Florida and Oklahoma? I don't know, but God does and only God knows why. Enjoy the game!

-Pastor

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

i have a question, and no excuses, wehn one team is favored to win and is a better team has a better record
but for some reason nothing goes right as if they were playing against more than the players on the field,
a team who is better and not just an opinion, and when poepel from the other team give god the credit,
ok is the god reason for my teams unlikey loss to a modern day david
i prayed and prayed and for my team not to hindered and told the devil to get out of the way, bs bs bs
not sorry but ones persons miracle shouldnt be anothers tragedy!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

ok when people give god the credit for blessing their team with a victory, what about my team who lost!!!!
so if they give god the credit for the win, i will give god the credit for my teams losss!!!!
not sorry
not at all