God gets called upon before and credited after most football games (at least by the winning team) Yet, if God was directing the playoffs this year, you would guess the smart money would've been on the Saints.
Is the winning team the one who prays the best or the most and so becomes God's favorite? This is only a little different than the so called “prosperity gospel” thinking that suggests earthly blessings are the result of our own holy efforts to get God's attention.
It is a little vain to think God is concerned about the final score of our football games. (I mean, what if God is, horrors!, a soccer fan!). Just because something is important to us, even “super”, doesn't mean it is important to God. As Amos tells us:
“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. . .Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never- failing stream!
Amos 5:21, 23- 24 NIV
I plan to cheer on the Bears this Sunday evening. But Sunday morning and every day, I'll be in God's cheering section rooting for righteousness and jumping for justice.
It's not whose side God is on;
but who is on God's side.
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