Brady & Gronk & Tyler Johnson

What? Who is that third person? Tyler Johnson – Most of us have not heard of Tyler Johnson. Let me give a little info.

Drafted this year in the NFL. He was a high school quarterback turned collegiate wide receiver at Minnesota. He stayed all four years and was the Outback Bowl’s MVP against Auburn.

He was not a first round draft pick, or a second round, or third, or fourth. He was fifth round pick. He was the 161st pick. Now don’t get me wrong – he has excelled and was drafted. He is is a highly skilled professional NFL player (if they ever play with this virus).

But – He is a rookie and 21. At 21, he is one of the youngest players on the Tampa Bay roster. But he has some interesting team mates too. One is the oldest player on the roster. Someone that is twice his age.

Tom Brady – age 42. That’s like the crypt keeper in football. But it’s Tom Brady. Wait, that’s not all. Gronk too. Rob Gronkowski – age 31. For 9 years, these two dominated and anchored a dynasty in New England – now they’re back in together in Tampa Bay.

Can you imagine the thoughts Johnson is having knowing that Brady will be passing to him. That Gronk is on his offensive team. These are two of the best players – ever – on his side.

I’d feel pretty confident. Having been the player chosen last in most gym or neighborhood sports, I never really felt that confident – but way to go Johnson.

In Psalm 124 – the 5th of the Ascent Psalms – the writer opens with a phrase that the Lord is own our side. He even repeats it for emphasis.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side …

Psalm 124

God is on our side – and without that we’d be toast, squashed, splattered, overwhelmed like a flood, destroyed, broken beyond repair, captured without any means of escape … you get the picture.

But He is … and we have the power, the protection, and the resources of the Great I Am. He’s got my back. And that’s awesome.

One closing thought …

This “side” we are talking about is really not our side. God doesn’t back us up for our desires and our worldly battles. It’s not directly about God being on our political side or our sport’s team in a competition or on our side for turf wars in church life.

This “side” is His side and we or on it. In Tampa Bay, Johnson knows it’s Brady’s team. And I am sure Johnson’s glad he is on it. And in life, the side to be on is God’s side – and He chose me to be on it. It’s all about point of view. As Abraham Lincoln put it …

Thank you Lord – I want to be the best I can be for Your team – Your glory – Your praises. Just thanks for making a way for me to be on the team.

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Psalm 124

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.