Blake Allen, Student Pastor, LHBC
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
One of the greatest underdog stories in history will always be the 1980s U.S. Men’s Hockey Team. This team made of amatur players who were young were supposed to lose. They were not seen to have stood a chance against the Soviets. The Soviets were a 4 time defending gold metalists. The game should have been a drop in the bucket for the Soviets. And yet, the U.S. men came together overcame their own goliath. With a final score of 4-3, the U.S. men’s hockey team went down in history “as the miracle on ice.”
I love a good underdog story. After reading 1 Corinthians, we all should. Paul reminds them they were God’s pick, not the worlds. According to the world, they were not wise, rich, smart enough, good enough, or noble enough. However, this is who in on God’s A-team. He uses the “weak” to shame the “strong.” He uses the “unwise” to shame the “wise.” God picks the underdogs and yet always claims the victory. But Paul also reminds them to walk in humility. It is not because of their own abilities, it is because of God’s ablilty.
But how often do we think our own abilities, wisdom, or stature is what pushes the ball down the field in life? If we have learned anything from the story of Jonah so far, it should be that God is the one who is in control. It is by His wisdom and power alone. He controls the narrative. He wants to use us to fulfill his plans. And it is not because of how impressive we are according to earthly standards. God is not impressed with our resume. Have you seen His? He can take a little bit and make a lot a bit. He took nothing and spoke it into something. He shut the mouths of lions, and even the seas obey Him. He doesn’t need any of us.
If we were good enough on our own, then the cross would have been unnecessary. Jesus came because we weren’t perfect enough, good enough, holy enough, etc. But that’s the point of the Gospel. Jesus did what we could not. He saved us and wants to use us for His glory.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, help us to walk in humility the rest of our day, trusting in your power and wisdom alone. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Proverbs 23:17-Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.