Last night the Atlanta Braves took a 2-0 series lead on the LA Dodgers with an 8-7 win, making it their seventh in a row to start the playoffs, tying an NL record.
Heading into the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, the Braves were a significant underdog. The fact they’ve won both games so far is very surprising when considering the Dodgers only lost back-to-back games four times this season and have been heavy favorites to make it to the World Series.
Atlanta is on a roll right now and this morning’s headline on ESPN.com is, “Braves are Making the Improbable Real Against the Dodgers in NLCS.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan describes “the theme of improbability” taking place during these first two games and puts into perspective how strong the Dodgers have been all year.
He writes, “Los Angeles finished the regular season 43-17, a 116-win pace in a typical season. The Dodgers hit, the Dodgers pitched and the Dodgers fielded, an orchestral blend of talent. Their depth reinforced them on offense and buttressed them in the bullpen. This wasn’t just a good team. It was a great team.”
Even though it appeared improbable for the Braves to win this series against the extremely talented Dodgers before the first pitch was thrown, now it’s a real possibility.
On the flip side, the Dodgers face their own improbable situation as they attempt to come back from being down 0-2. This “theme of improbability” continues tonight in Game 3.
For many of us today, we’re looking for answers, praying for God to move, and facing odds that are against us. Right now it seems improbable that our circumstances will turn out the way we wish they would and it seems unlikely we’ll be able to get a win in our current scenario.
However, we serve a God who has shown over and over that He can “make the improbable real,” accomplish the impossible, and do the unimaginable.
In Jeremiah 32:27 (ESV), God says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?”
Luke 1:37 (ESV) assures us that “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Matthew 19:26 (NLT) tells us, “Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’”
So when we’re in the middle of our improbable situations, we have to recite these verses and choose to believe in His incredible power. We must trust that He’s able to do anything that is part of His plan.
We can also repeat this verse found in Job 42:2 (ESV): “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
Throughout the Bible, and in our own lives as we follow Jesus, there’s a “theme of improbability” where God shows up, reveals His glory, and reminds us there’s nothing that He can’t do.
Today, let’s declare, “‘Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You'” (Jeremiah 32:17; ESV).
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I believe in Your power and goodness. I trust You to do improbable things in my life and I pray I would give You all the glory and honor. I know nothing is too hard for You, so I trust You to come through in amazing ways. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
- When has God previously shown up in an improbable way?
- What is your improbable situation today that feels impossible unless God intervenes?
