One thing about Bobby Fischer could not be denied: his sheer confidence for the game of chess. He turned simple moves into strategically planned out counters to best his opponent. His prowess with pawns, rooks and bishops gave a whole, new spin on the scripture, “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17) Though he mastered his craft by becoming a chess prodigy at age 14, an American chess grandmaster and the 11th World Chess Champion, his toughest opponent in life and death defeated his soul.
In this solitary walk of life, we will face an opponent who not only seeks the title of world champion, but wants the annihilation of the world as its prize. His tactics are underhanded. His strategies are despicable. His moves are unethical, unfair and uncalled for, and yet he plays with three rules and one intent. The rules? kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) and his intent? To drag as many of God’s creation to hell before his time is up.
How do you counter an opponent who doesn’t play fair? You make your moves with God. In Psalm 27, David expressed his confidence in our Savior. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) Tell me, when first faced with a new challenge, is fear your initial reaction? If you feel the strong stance of the solid rock beneath your peace-ready shoes and your whole Godly armor (Ephesians 6:14-17), a little challenge won’t phase you. But when the enemy starts throwing down challenges like sacrificial pawns on a chess board, what wells up? Fear? Doubt? Abandonment? Defeat? Hopelessness?
Let me tell you, strategically, what you feel has been felt by the man after God’s own heart:
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!” (Psalm 27:7-9)
But do not disparities over this move. Though we all feel this way at some point, we can choose not to make the next move a final one. In an article called “Commentary on. Psalm 27,” Beth L. Tanner writes, “The psalms teach us that it is not only God’s responsibility to find us, sometimes we must also fight to stay in this relationship with God. We must go forward confident that God’s seeming absence does not equal abandonment. It is the fear talking.” And as one who studies to show themselves approved for this life match, we know fear does not come into play because those who abide in God have His love and His love has no fear (1 John 4:15-19).
Make that move. Check.
The enemy does not like a God (en)counter that’s why he throws out the same challenge. And yet, like David, you have God to direct your every move. And when it’s all said and done, find your hope and confidence in Psalm 27:13-14:
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Checkmate!
