The Great Odds Maker

20. May 2008 by BruceSmith.

I am not a gambler, and don’t really know much about making odds. It appears, however, that there is some math or science to the process for the so called “odds makers” that reside in Las Vegas. We can all understand the basics I think. Let’s imagine a boxing match where Ali, at his best, is pitted against a horse jockey that has never boxed before. The so called “safe money” would, of course, be placed on Ali. You would have to be insane, stupidly rich, or Charles Barkley to bet on the jockey! Just kidding Charles. Here is the deal with such a bet. It’s obvious. Few people with any sense would place a bet on Billy Shoemaker in a bout against Ali. So, all the money that is placed on Ali in such an imaginary bout does not bring much suspense or reward. If you were to bet on Ali and he won, well, you might make a penny or two.

If, somehow, Shoemaker would actually wind up winning such a battle, and assuming there was at least one person who placed money on the jockey, that person against enormous odds, would actually make a killing on the win. The longer the odds, the greater the reward for the one who goes against the stats. That is the basic betting principle.

The reason for this rudimentary lesson on the Las Vegas line makers is not to encourage you to go out and make a wager! Rather, it serves as a good metaphor for the life of faith as presented in scripture. If you have ever taken time to read some of the great stories of the Bible, and for those who have actually read it all, what you have no doubt discovered is that the God of scripture clearly likes the underdog. Moreover, He tends to set people up to become underdogs, and then He stuns the “house” with odds defying wins.

Look at the story of Abraham and Isaac. In light of the journey Abe had taken, the planning, organizing, traveling, thinking, …and in light of the fact that Abe had no doubt been crying out to God to make sense of his predicament, he surely thought as the knife was being raised, that the conclusion was a given. He knew the odds were not good once he had bound his boy to the altar. As his hand was readying to send the fatal blow he had to be thinking “Game over.”

Look also at the story of David. This smallish, ruddy, sheep herder, armed with nothing more than a sling shot, was facing the Ali of the day. In this case, Ali was not only fierce and huge, he was armed, armored, and very dangerous. I am sure the odds makers were at work as David walked toward the battle field, and I am equally sure little money was being wagered on a David victory. Everyone watching, no doubt, stood laughing at the idea that this little twerp might win against the battle proven Goliath.

Look now, if you will, to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three defiant boys who refused the king’s edict and would not bow before false gods, were shackled and thrown into a furnace so hot that it killed the armed guards attending them. I don’t know about you, but if I were a betting man, I probably would not have put my money on those three guys surviving the deal. I would have bet on the house in that one.

Lazarus. What about this guy? The man was dead…D E A D, dead. The game was, indeed, over. Lights out, everybody out of the stadium please. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. I don’t know many who would have laid down any cash on that guy shooting another basket, hitting another ball, catching another pass or building another chair (assuming he had carpentry skills).

…But God.

Think about those two words. No, really think about them. Those two words, when joined together, amount to explosive potential. In the face of all odds, no matter how large, no matter how much money is on the other guy, those two words remind us that another outcome is possible …BUT GOD.

One of the astounding realities of faith which I have observed is the truth found in recognizing that all outcomes are ultimately in God’s hands. For the follower of Christ, while the odds may be against you, there is One who stands ready and is by your side waiting for an opportunity to shock the world. If you take time to really evaluate the stories of faith unveiled in God’s word, you cannot help but come to the conclusion that God revels in overwhelming odds. I would go so far as to suggest that He often, if not regularly, stacks the odds against those who really know Him, in order that He might make Himself known.

Who really cheers on the trust fund baby who “makes it” big? Who gets excited over the “haves” having their way? Who notices when the young, strong, finely tuned runner finishes a marathon? No, we would much rather support the guy who had little and made it happen. We long to see the one who struggled through and “made” it. We are inspired by the athlete who crosses the finish line despite the physical limitations or handicap. It is news to see the underdog win, isn’t it?

This is one of the great truths of faith. God shows off amidst the biggest battles, against the longest odds, and along side the underdog. When the prostitute makes a devastating mess of her life and all looks lost, Jesus shows up and offers life, hope, restoration and purpose. When your world falls apart as you know it, and you wonder why you should go on, God shows up and wins the day. He is the God of another chance. When the emotional and psychological stress pile up so greatly that you just want to bail, and you actually look forward to the “game over” alert, God brings hope. When you have towed the rope of single parenthood and been sole provider for so long you are totally spent, God can and does bring the peace, rest, and strength, and often the hope of new romance. When everyone around you in your workplace is making more than you despite their manipulation and deceit, God brings the joy of living a truthful life, and the eternal blessing of a life well lived, and He can and often does bring you, through your integrity, to a greater place than you ever could have imagined.

The point is this: He is an odds making God. He is also an odds beating God. Wherever you are today, no matter the battle, remember the stories of great men and women of faith. In almost every instance they began the journey as underdogs. And in all cases, at some point, the odds were overwhelmingly against them. That is the time to call on God, trust Him alone, keep your heart pure before Him, and stand back and watch Him do His thing.

If you are facing a life defining situation here is my advice to you: even against the odds, bet on God, and LAY DOWN A BIG BET. He can win the day. He has promised that ALL things work together for good for those that love Him and are called to His purposes. The thing to do in every tough situation is to look up to the heavens, and whisper to God, “I’m all in.”

Betting it all on Him,

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

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