On Saturday, May 2, 2009 an obscure horse named Mine that Bird rocked the horseracing world with a huge upset at the Kentucky Derby. While I am by no means condoning gambling, I think we all have to acknowledge, when a horse running dead last suddenly rallies to first place, that something miraculous has happened. Mine that Bird, a horse that started the race as a 50-1 long shot astonished everyone in what the WSJ claimed to be, “one of the greatest upsets in 135 years of America’s most famous horse race.”

As I read the reports and watched the victory on video, I couldn’t help but think that God is the “God of the Long Shot”. A long shot is something that is unlikely and has little chance of happening or working out. I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like I’m a long shot! At the very least, I’ve got a few long shot situations that I’m banking on God for! I believe the scriptures point to the fact that God is pleased to do His deepest work in those places of utter weakness.

Romans Chapter 5 says that not only do we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God but, “We also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” (Romans 5:3-4)

Maybe the odds are stacked against you and the outcome doesn’t look favorable. Keep running. Even if you are in last place – persevere in Jesus name because victory is promised!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)