Instant Replay

Last Sunday night, while watching a football game on TV, I saw a freakish play. It was a pass play to the tight end. The intended receiver reached back to catch the ball but didn't catch it. The ball fell towards the ground, apparently bouncing up into the arms of a defensive player, who then raced to end zone for a touchdown. The referee ruled the pass incomplete, believing that the ball hit the ground. But because there is "instant replay," the call was challenged and reviewed.

"After further review," the instant replay revealed that as the receiver reached back to catch the ball, it hit his hand. The ball, then dropped, bouncing up off his foot and into the arms of the defensive player. The officials ruled it as an interception. Thanks to "instant replay" there was an opportunity to take a closer look to see what really happened.

Did you know that "instant replay" is in the Bible? Check out 2 Kings 6:8-23. It was a time in the history of Israel, when the people of Israel were at war with the Arameans. The king of Aram was aware that the prophet Elisha was advising the king of Israel. His advice was thwarting the Arameans' war efforts (6:11-12). The king of Aram sent his army to capture the Israelites secret weapon, the prophet,Elisha.

In the night, the army of Aram surrounded the city where Elisha lived. The next morning, the servant of Elisha went outside to get the paper or fetch firewood. He saw the Aramean army with their horses and chariots encompassing the city. Fearfully, he reports the news to the prophet Elisha. Notice Elisha's response.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17)

Instant Replay! Sometimes we can become overwhelmed by our circumstances. We get fearful and worry about what we are going to do. We become pessimistic, thinking only the worse case scenario. We often rush to judgment and jump to wrong conclusions. That's why it is wise to follow Elisha's advice. Take another look. This times with our eyes wide open from God's perspective. Elisha was in no danger. He wasn't outnumbered. He wasn't being held hostage by his circumstances, because with God on his side, he was assured of the victory to come.

It is easy to get "tunnel vision" when things don't look or feel right. It's human nature to imagine the worse rather than think the best. It's easy to get caught up in the downward spiral of hopelessness when we become fixated on the problems. But if we, "... fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)," we gain a different perspective. We see that God, who is all powerful, all knowing and ever-present, is on our side. We can count on Him to get us through the crisis.

It's been said that "seeing is believing." Yet, even our earthly eyes can deceive us. Take another look before you react or respond to life's circumstances. Look with eyes of faith, you might come up with another conclusion. Believing is seeing.

"After further review...God is on your side."