The NBA Draft took place last night and it was a wild adventure for fans! It was filled with out-of-nowhere trades, shocking picks, and head-scratching decisions by general managers. We had our expectations of where players might end up before the night began but ended up seeing the Magic surprise people by taking Paolo Banchero first, the Kings passing on Jaden Ivey, and A.J. Griffin falling to 16th overall. With plenty of excitement taking place as players were experiencing their dream come true, several trades were happening that left fans confused as they questioned what their favorite team was up to. The New York Knicks were busy as they traded their 11th pick to the Thunder for three 2023 first-round picks. The Knicks were also included in a three-team trade with the Pistons and Hornets where the Knicks added another future first-round pick. Of course, many Knicks fans were outraged by the moves because they wanted the team to draft a top player who can help them right now, instead of having to wait another year. Knicks fans always think about their former teams and players from previous decades, longing for the days they had something to cheer about. Meanwhile, Hornets fans (like myself) are still trying to wrap our minds around what the team did last night as they traded away the 13th overall pick (Jalen Duren) for a 2023 first-round pick and four second-round picks. Most fans don't understand the move and question how the trade actually benefits the Hornets this season. Sitting at home trying to figure out how to make sense of each trade and guessing how one move might set up a team to make another one, we question the general manager by saying, "What is he doing?" Ultimately, we want to know the path the GM is taking our favorite team on and wonder if it’s heading in the right direction. We have to trust that the general manager knows things we don’t and is preparing for the next move that nobody sees coming. Admittedly, we as fans, don’t have all of the information, but we still moan and complain about our favorite team’s front office decisions and throw up our hands while screaming at the TV. We wonder if our team will ever win again and we have a tough time believing the GM knows what's best. Today, I want us to parallel the feelings and mindsets of fans during the NBA Draft to how we view and respond to life’s confusing circumstances. In a similar way, we question God and try to make sense of what He’s doing in our lives. The difference is, that many NBA GMs don’t know what they’re doing, whereas God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and His plans are perfect. However, that doesn’t stop us from acting like sports fans as we throw up our hands, shout to the sky, and wonder if we're ever going to win again. We moan and complain, struggling to trust God and His promises, and wondering if He’ll ever show us His favor again. The reality is, that we aren’t the only ones with times of frustration, dismay, and confusion. I’m sure most of us can relate to Asaph who powerfully writes Psalm 77:1-20 (NLT) by capturing the spiritual battle we often face, beginning with despair and ending in hope: "I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me!
When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for His help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will He never again be kind to me? Is His unfailing love gone forever? Have His promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He slammed the door on His compassion? And I said, 'This is my fate; the Most High has turned His hand against me.' But then I recall all You have done, O Lord; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works. O God, Your ways are Holy. Is there any god as mighty as You? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate Your awesome power among the nations. By Your strong arm, You redeemed Your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. When the Red Sea saw You, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths. The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky. Your arrows of lightning flashed. Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world! The earth trembled and shook. Your road led through the sea, Your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there! You led Your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.” This is an amazing Psalm, with these words especially encouraging to me today: “...a pathway no one knew was there.” What a great reminder that God has a plan and a path we can’t see right now, but He’s making moves, opening doors, and orchestrating things in our lives for our good and His purposes. Oftentimes, it's in a way we never saw coming or thought was even possible. So, as we wait for the “trades” in our lives to make sense or the “future draft picks” to be revealed, we can confidently trust Him and declare the following: “O God, Your ways are Holy. Is there any god as mighty as You? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate Your awesome power among the nations.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind me of all of the wonderful things You’ve already done in my life and help me to keep thinking about Your mighty works. I know You are with me and will make a pathway clear in a way I never could have imagined. Thank you for Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways are you questioning God right now or filled with despair?
When you “remember His wonderful deeds of long ago,” what comes to mind?
Comments