Thursday, March 23, 2006

A People's Triumph

While most folks had gone into a slumber knockout, half the globe away, a young man representing Singapore, was shuffling towards what could be an extremely memorable victory as a sportsman, both for himself and for Singapore. Ronald Susilo defeated world No. 1 Lin Dan in the second round of the Athens Olympic Games two nights ago. If the crowd was stunned, Susilo was not. 'I played that match in my mind over and over again,' said the 25-year-old full-time player. 'I've seen him play and know his style. 'For me, it must be patience, work him around and play his weaker half of the court. His backhand.' It was a heartening moment. A Singaporean shuttler handing defeat to the all dominant Chinese star is akin to David slaying Goliath.

Now, we have to appreciate the focus, determination, discipline and hard work that a sportsman or sportswoman pours out while preparing for a competition. Dedicated preparation is fundamental. Dedicated preparation is consistent. Dedicated preparation requires discipline. Let's go no further than the example of David. What made a young ruddy shepherd think that he could defeat a champion named Goliath? 1 Samuel 17:4-7 gives us an idea of how insurmountable an obstacle Goliath must have appeared to the entire Israelite army - A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armour of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.

What did David possess versus his formidable enemy who was already recognised as a champion even before the battle? The answer is found in his heart, his faith. 1 Samuel 17:26 reads, "David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" He desired to defend the name of his God. Verse 32 finds him putting his heart's purpose into action - David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Well, we would have thought that for his display of courage and volunteerism, King Saul would have at least commended the young man for his courage. Instead Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." (v33).

Here's where dedicated preparation made the difference in this young man's faith, motive and boldness. But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, "Go, the LORD be with you." (1 Samuel 17:34-37). David refers to himself as a servant who has been keeping his father's sheep. I mean, "WOW!". Here we are facing a giant who is a seasoned fighter, and this young man is talking about looking after sheep! That's going to look impressive on his CV! It wouldn't have been unusual if Saul had placed his hand on David's forehead to see if it had been feverish.

David was a shepherd who went after predators that harmed his sheep, without counting the cost because he knew his cause, that is the well being of the sheep under his care. And the boldness that drove his actions came from none other than his faith that God is with him (regardless of circumstances) and will deliver him. In the midst of life's trials and challenges, learning to trust in God to deliver us might not come easy or naturally. When our wealth, health, resources, and loved ones, are stripped away from us, we will come to realise that had it not been for the substance that our faith is built on, which is the firm foundation that Christ has laid, we would have been left absolutely without hope and strength to go on. The apostle Paul says in 2 Cor 12:10, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." When we are full of ourselves, our confidence is built on the false security of our self-sufficiency. But when life pushes us to the edge of desperation, and if we turn aside and look for Him, He will reveal Himself as El Shaddai, the God of all sufficiency.

Then David went out to face Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:45-50 records, "David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

And so we return again to the 2004 Olympic Games. We hope for another triumphant moment for the sportsmen donning the colours of this island which we call home. We rejoice with those who rejoice, but more importantly, we should appreciate all the determination and hard work put in by all our athletes, win, lose or draw. I believe in applauding their courage to reach higher, deeper and farther; both within themselves and in bettering their personal bests! They aspire, therefore they inspire.

Now, may the peace of God, the love of Christ and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, be with you forevermore.

His servant,
Sv

Editor's Note: This article was penned during the 2004 Athens Olympics

No comments: