The crowd was still roaring from the victory. Players and fans were all over the field. A young reporter nudged her way through to the winning quarterback for a post-game interview.
She finally found him and pulled him aside. She waited for the signal from the cameraman to begin.
“Congratulations,” she said to the player. “How does it feel to be a world champion?”
“I feel so incredibly blessed. Look at the joy on these people’s faces. What a gift from God,” he said.
The reported wanted to roll her eyes. She had interviewed enough players to expect this kind of false piety after a game.
“Well, tell us how you did it. What led to this victory?” she asked.
“This is 100% a gift from God. I have been blessed. We gave it everything we had. I put my trust in him and he pushed me through. I’ve wanted this my whole life, ever since I first picked up a football. I prayed and left it up to the Lord, and he answered me. Look around. This is incredible,” he said.
“But what about you,” the reporter pushed. “What did you do today to win this game?”
“My dad always used to tell me: Do your best because you are blessed. That’s all I ever try to do on that field,” he replied.
The reporter gave up on getting details. “Thank you. Go celebrate,” she said.
The quarterback rejoined his team with a smile on his face.
The cameraman put down the camera and the reporter said, “It drives me crazy when athletes say stuff like that. They try to make themselves look so good in front of the camera.”
She turned to see the celebration expecting to see players going crazy with joy. Instead, she saw the quarterback gathering a group of guys in a pack. They were kneeling with their eyes closed. The quarterback was leading them in prayer and there were tears in his eyes.
The reporter stared in awe. “Maybe I was wrong about him,” she said.
“Great is his glory in your victory; majesty and splendor you confer upon him. You make him the pattern of blessings forever, you gladden him with the joy of your face. For the king trusts in the LORD, stands firm through the mercy of the Most High.”
Psalm 21:6-8
Reflection Questions
- Do you think the quarterback was trying to show off his piety? Why or why not?
- What have been your greatest successes? How did God help?
- When you experience joy, what can you do to give glory to God?
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Here are some of the other Psalm Stories in this series:
