Raise a hallelujah

In the movie based on the life of coach Grant Taylor, “Facing the Giants”, he inspires his football team with the words: “I want God to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give Him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him.”

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Eph 6:12

Let that sink in for a moment. The movie is about facing fear by honouring God and how they go on to win a championship against all odds.

You have given a banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth.

Ps 60:4

I’m imagining what this football team must have looked like in the spiritual realm. I can see them as soldiers coming against an overwhelming enemy, but they raise their flag – their banner – praise – and they storm towards the enemy. But they are not fighting alone – they are joined on every side by a multitude of angels led by a rider on a white horse – to overpower the enemy and raise their banner in enemy territory.

But wait. That’s you and me too. We have a different fight. We’re not playing football, but just like those players we will praise Him when we win and we will praise Him when we lose. We will raise our banner in enemy territory. We will raise a hallelujah and God Himself – Jehova Nissi – will be our banner.