Football season that is. And every year there are a number of names that come to the forefront as players to watch. This season, according to one source, the top ten most important NFL players are Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyreek Hill, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Jones, Julio Jones, Kirk Cousins, James Conner, Nick Foles, and J.J. Watt. (Other sources tout other players, but the point is the same––most are offensive scoring players.) Out of the ten I listed, four are quarterbacks, three are running backs, and two are wide receivers. Only J.J. Watt is a defensive player.
However, anyone who knows anything about football or has watched Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side knows the truth in the saying, “You’re only as good as your front line.” It is the offensive line that determines the success and often the safety of those more high-profile players. Many a talented quarterback has been sacked, running back stopped, and wide receiver left empty handed because of a weak front line.
That is why there is such comfort in verses like Deuteronomy 31:8 and 1:30, which read “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” and “The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”
And then there is Isaiah 52:12 which gives additional comfort because it says, “You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.” (God moves obstacles out of our way and also protects us from behind.)
True these three verses (and many others in the Old Testament) were directed at the Old Testament Israelites as they moved to claim the Promised Land, but remember the history of the Jewish people is meant to provide a picture to New Testament believers of God’s love, protection and providence. What was good and true for the Jews is also good and true for the believer today.
This is why Paul reminds us (in New Testament lingo) that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and then asks in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
As Christians we face a lot of opposition, both in our beliefs and the stances we take on social issues based on Biblical guidance. But we have to remember, our success and safety is not determined by how well we run with the ball. It is determined by the strength of our front line, and we need to remember that we have an all knowing, all powerful, ever present front line––God. His will will be done.
However, anyone who knows anything about football or has watched Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side knows the truth in the saying, “You’re only as good as your front line.” It is the offensive line that determines the success and often the safety of those more high-profile players. Many a talented quarterback has been sacked, running back stopped, and wide receiver left empty handed because of a weak front line.
That is why there is such comfort in verses like Deuteronomy 31:8 and 1:30, which read “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” and “The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”
And then there is Isaiah 52:12 which gives additional comfort because it says, “You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.” (God moves obstacles out of our way and also protects us from behind.)
True these three verses (and many others in the Old Testament) were directed at the Old Testament Israelites as they moved to claim the Promised Land, but remember the history of the Jewish people is meant to provide a picture to New Testament believers of God’s love, protection and providence. What was good and true for the Jews is also good and true for the believer today.
This is why Paul reminds us (in New Testament lingo) that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), and then asks in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
As Christians we face a lot of opposition, both in our beliefs and the stances we take on social issues based on Biblical guidance. But we have to remember, our success and safety is not determined by how well we run with the ball. It is determined by the strength of our front line, and we need to remember that we have an all knowing, all powerful, ever present front line––God. His will will be done.
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