August 7, 2024
The first record of trash-talking braggadocio that I know of is way back in Genesis 4:23-24. Lamech is mouthing off to his two wives about how awesome he is. For thousands of years since, history has not been particularly kind to people who write big checks with their mouths (e.g., Goliath). Cashing those checks on the battlefield, football field or track is a different matter. Yesterday was a classic example that should be a lesson for the world. Mouths do not win races, feet do.
The 1,500-meter (4,921.26 feet) run is slightly less than a mile (5,280 feet), earning it the nickname (metric mile). Tuesday’s Olympic race was to be a race between two high-profile runners who have been trading barbs for months. The one, Jakob Ingebrigsten is from Norway and the other, Josh Kerr is from Great Britain. Both are impressive runners. It has been said of Kerr, that the only thing that runs faster than his feet is his mouth. Everyone, it seemed, had their eyes on these two, which was just fine with Cole Hocker and the other runner who qualified from the USA, Yared Nuguse.
It still gives me chills just reviewing the last 100 meters in my head. Cole, who had earlier in the race been in 7th place, worked his way into fourth with 300 meters left. Then in the final 100, he found another gear. While the two front-runners fought each other, Cole slipped into the inside lane. He caught, then passed them both. He led the race for only 15 meters, but it was the 15 that counted, the last. Not only that, but Yared, his teammate, looked like he was pulled with Cole and Yared took bronze, missing silver by a mere 1/1000th of a second. For the first time in 112 years, team USA had two men medal in the 1,500.
Revelation 13:5-6a says, “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God….” God is not intimidated by boastful words, nor threatened by braggadocio. He allows people to run their mouths and express their rebellion until they have carried out their part in his plan. Then, while they are distracted by looking at themselves in the mirror and admiring their power and number of admirers, God says, “time’s up.”
This world is full of people boasting of their own greatness, mocking God, his Word and laws. They are empty puppets with big mouths and no true greatness. Do not fear them. There is one throne, one king, one eternal kingdom and only one who is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, glory and blessing, because he was slain and by his blood ransomed a people for God from every tribe, language, people and nation. Jesus may not command the attention of the world today, but in the end, he will stand alone.
Grace and peace,
Bob
Sunday’s text: Luke 8:4-15