The Underdogs

Many of us are the underdogs in our life story. We tend to be overlooked and cast aside. Many of us, lack the proper encouragement to face the battles in our lives. We have failed more than we have succeeded in most case scenarios. Today i write about two groups of people who were underdogs. No one thought they would succeed. They were written off by those surrounding them but to their opponent's surprise, they emerged as victorious.

2 Chronicles 20 we are introduced to King Jehoshaphat. He was a faithful man of God who ruled over Israel. The chapter says,

"After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat. 2 People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek him.

Can you imagine all who consider you to be their enemy gathering together to fight against you? The kingdom of Israel was living in peace at the time, but their enemies coveted their land, so they decided to rise against them and destroy them. So Jehosophat did what he had always done he prayed to God. He declared a fast all over Israel and prayed to God for directions n what to do. This vast army was approaching, and Israel was too small to fight against them.

To their incoming enemies, Israel was an underdog. Sure, they had won many battles but when held in comparison to the three nations, it would be an impossible feat. An underdog by definition is a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. God answers Jehoshaphat by giving him a promise. The Bible says:

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

The promise here is one of victory. The only way that this underdog nation was going to succeed over their enemies was by the power of God. One of the names of God is Jehovah Nissi. It means God my banner of victory. Something that I want you to notice is the fact that this promise was contingent on the following, Israel had to cast their fear and terror brought on by their immediate circumstances. Two, they had to go down to the battlefield.

I think the same applies to us in our own underdog stories. For us to experience the victory in our lives sometimes we are required to go down into the battlefields in our lives. We are to cast aside every fear and terror within our beings and trust in the one who is backing us up. Israel makes their way down to the battlefield in praise and worship and the bible says as soon as they started praising God, ambushments were sent to their enemies. "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten" - 20:22 When the Israelites arrived, they were met with remains of their enemies. Not a single man was left standing. God had defeated their enemy and allowed them to bask in the glory of His providence.

In my church, the pathfinders compete in an annual bible competition. In the past years, the pathfinders of Umoja (that is the name of my church) have failed to advance past the initial stages of this competition. This year however, we were able to witness the greatest underdog stories in our community. A group of teenagers who make up the current pathfinder club were able to advance to the national competition and emerge in first place.

The story of how they made it to become the champions of the Pathfinder Bible experience is one of faith, hard work and Godly providence. These group of devout teenagers dared to believe that the impossible could become possible for them. Like the Israel army, they had to face tough competition who previously had crushed our team, but their relentless faith allowed them to believe victory could be their own. Going to the battlefield meant long hours of bible study, memorization and practice. After these efforts they had to physically show up to the competition and put into practice their faith and work. What does this mean for you dear reader, you will have to submit that application. You will have to ask that person out. You will have to register that business idea. You will have to exercise the faith you have within you because faith without works is dead.

Their story serves as a reminder to us that our wildest dreams can come true. You can get that promotion. You can be married and sail into your happily ever after. Yes, you can graduate. Yes, you can beat that terminal illness. Yes, you can achieve honors, yes you can bask in financial freedom. Yes, you can lose weight. Yes, you can become a parent. We all witnessed God honor their faith when they made their way across the stage as the new Pathfinder Bible Experience First Place winners!

Yes, you may be an underdog but, remember the Lion of Judah is backing you up. He has no equal. He has no rival. I dare you to believe that the impossible can be made possible.