We are infatuated with the underdog overcoming the powerhouse. There is just something cool about the one who was never expected to do well, coming out on top. It is the American way: work hard, be consistent, and your reward will come. However, life frequently places us in situations where the numbers simply don’t add up in our favor. It may be a medical diagnosis that seems set in stone, with no hope of a cure. It may be a financial hardship, a strained relationship, or a dream where the world quickly points out that the odds are against you. In human terms, these odds are often correct. Yet, scripture challenges us and gives us examples of how God operates on a different set of principles. The difference between victory and failure often comes because of who is for or against us. When God is for us, we can succeed against the odds.
In Acts chapter 23, we see Paul proclaiming the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This angered the Jews greatly, and they conspired to kill Paul before he spread any more of the gospel. Acts 23:12 “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.” Anger takes on a new face when you go without food or drink until you have killed someone!
Paul was definitely faced with odds that would make anyone afraid. Verse 13 tells us, “And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.”
David also went against the odds when, as a teenage boy, he fought Goliath. No one believed he could win against such insurmountable odds, but David knew with God on his side, he would win. His brothers were insulted that their little brother had come and drawn attention to himself. No one believed David could win the fight with Goliath, except David. David had an unshakeable faith in God, and He proceeded alone to face Goliath. Of course, we know that David wins!
I Samuel 17:37 “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
Gideon went against extreme odds—facing a Midianite army of 135,000 with only 300 men by shrinking his forces on purpose and using a surprise night strategy. Gideon began with 32,000 men, but God said this was too many so that Israel would not boast of saving themselves. Then he sent 22,000 home because they were afraid, leaving him 10,000, but God said this was still too many. Then God cut the forces again based on how they drank water from a stream.
If shrinking his army were not enough, God provides an unusual method and unusual tools. Each man carried a trumpet, an empty clay jar, and a hidden torch inside the jar. The 300 men crept around the enemy camp at night. When the signal was given, they blew their trumpets, smashed the jars, held up their torches, and shouted, “For the Lord and for Gideon!” The enemy panicked, they were confused, and turned their swords on each other, leading Gideon and his men to total victory.
When you find yourself standing against impossible odds, remember that God does not need favorable conditions to produce a victory. What looks like an insurmountable obstacle to us is not a deterrent to God. He uses these situations to display His faithfulness. The outcome depends on Him, the Almighty, the Creator of all, and the one sovereign God. When He is in the equation, the math changes completely. Knowing this, how should we respond when it looks like the odds are stacked against us?
We must shift our focus from the size of our problem to the sovereignty of our God. We must trust His timing. Sometimes our options run out so that His glory can be seen clearly. Then, take the next step by faith, even when we cannot see the path ahead, trust Him and obey.
I love how Paul describes how we should respond when going against the odds.
Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
