NO CONTEST

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Hi all,

Way back in 1956, I was in Marist Brothers College Walmer boarding school. I was in standard 7 (grade 9 today) and rather enjoyed boarding school life. It was fairly regimented; a very busy life with hardly ever a dull moment. The school had a boxing club and we were free to join if so wished. A number of the boys joined the club which met regularly. The top boxer in the school was “Bully” Victor. I’ve no idea how he acquired the name “bully”. I don’t recall him bullying anyone. However, in the boxing ring he really was a bully. Few boys challenged him. Usually he made short work of any competition. From my observation, anyone who had the misfortune of climbing into the boxing ring, soon learned the error of their ways. He was just too good for the competition.

In a small way, “Bully” and his opponents are similar to God and his opponents. I was only 14 so I think I was overly impressed with his ability. In my eyes he was an awesome “Irresistible” figure. He was by no means in the same class as God. Nevertheless as an impressionable young teenager, I was duly amazed. I knew he wasn’t invincible; but that thought didn’t really cross my mind.

At the same time, I was going to confirmation classes in the Anglican Church and was beginning to learn something about God. I’d learned that God was invincible against all opponents. However to my young mind it seemed that “Bully” was also invincible in his own field. There wasn’t really any comparison between God and “Bully”. They were separately compartmentalised and never the twain would meet.

Reading today’s Scriptures and observing the overwhelming power of God, I was reminded of “Bully”. If they ever “squared off” against each other in the boxing ring it would be “no contest”. Poor old “Bully” would have more than met his match.

God’s word shows us the absolute futility of fighting against God. God doesn’t have power and strength, He is power and strength. Fighting with Him is always pointless. It would be a “No Contest” match. So how great is His power compared with ours? I have a little indication from a TV show in UK in the mid 1960’s. The contestants were each supplied in turn with a huge earth-moving vehicle. At the front it had a mechanical jaw enabling it to take huge bites out of the sand with very little problem. The contest was to pick up a raw egg with the earth moving vehicle without crushing the egg. I can’t recall the outcome other than to say that most eggs were crushed while getting the jaws in position around the egg. If nothing else, we had a lot of laughs.

God’s power and strength are infinite. The competition does not have infinite power, strength and ability. The waves, the seas, Tsunamis, or fires cannot match our God. Such confrontations with Him will always be a no contest.

Today’s meditation looks at this in a bit more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

No Contest

He cannot be resisted, though scores of people try. They get their fingers badly burned and seldom wonder why. It isn’t very difficult, to see where they went wrong. They’re fighting with Almighty God and He is far too strong! But people keep on doing it. Their lesson they won’t learn. Their attitude is stubborn and they would rather burn, In Hell with all the sinners, than to admit defeat. What’s needed is a caning upon their precious seat! They think the Lord won’t do that; He is the God of Love. And that He’ll always treat them, with a velvet covered glove. But it is a delusion. It doesn’t work that way. If they deserve a spanking, He’ll give them one today! The sea tried to oppose Him. Its waters surged and roared. The breakers pounded on the beach; but they did not record, Any sort of victory. It tried with all its might; But it was not a contest, when God came into sight. The ocean tried another stunt. It swept upon the beach. “We know we are invincible; the victory’s in reach” That’s what they had decided but it all came to naught. It was with the Almighty God, with whom the oceans fought. The beach was still a barrier the oceans couldn’t cross. Not even a Tsunami could challenge Him as boss. For after it spewed violence and dashed onto the shore, It then had to retreat in shame. It couldn’t beat God’s law! The Lord God is the Master of all in time and space. Though He may be resisted by some of the human race, It all amounts to nothing. A little grain of sand, Has more chances of a victory disputing God’s command. And He has told His people, “There’s nothing you need fear. The rivers can’t defeat you. Not while your God is near. The fire cannot harm you; Indeed, you won’t be burned”. But there’s a tiny lesson that still needs to be learned. We overcome these monsters, by faith and faith alone. Never doubt or whimper; don’t try things on your own. There is no possibility that you will win the fight! Unless your God is with you, you’ll certainly take flight; And end up like the others, who thought they could succeed, Against these mighty enemies. A Christian should plead, The blood of Jesus over, the things which they all face. This is the sure prescription, for finishing the race, And knowing that the victory is not what they achieved. But by the Lord Almighty, Who knows what they believed. Jim Strickland – Written 15 February 2012