Psalm 20

Photo Credit Jeff Hanisch - USA Today Sports Photography

"May Adonai answer you in times of distress...May he send you help from the sanctuary...May he grant you your heart's desire and bring all your plans to success. Then we will shout for joy at your victory." Psalm 20: 1-5 The Complete Jewish Bible

I've always had an adversarial relationship with authority. Maybe we all do, that unwillingness to obey a rule that is stupid or to blindly follow a command without knowing why. This contentiousness has affected my relationship with God. I often view him as an adversary, someone I have to ask forgiveness from, or explain myself to so I won't "get in trouble."

The sad thing is, God is not my adversary. He is on my side. There is only one who is called an adversary, Satan, or Diabolos, the slanderer, the accuser.

How poorly a football team would perform if they viewed their coach as their adversary instead of their guide and mentor. And during the draft, doesn't every team want to select the best player?

One of my favorite football stories is of Aaron Rodger's draft. He was expected to be drafted first, and was all dressed up with the top picks in the green room, waiting to come out on TV. Instead he saw the first draft pick go to Alex Smith, and he had to sit in that green room until he was the only player left. Finally, Green Bay choose him, 24th overall.

If you aren't into football, I will have to tell you it was a very good pick for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers has lead his team to many division championships and even a Superbowl win.

God is on my side.

Am I still seeing him as the enemy? Am I making him sit in the green room when he could be leading me to victory?

I have really had a very good life. God has given me every good thing I have wanted. Sure, bad things have happened, but the joy I've tasted in this life is enough to make me believe in the promise of the joy that is to come.

Every struggle we endure here is worth the joy that is to come.