The Unbeatable Foe

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

It's considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history, and one of the greatest moments in American sports history. It was a huge shot in the arm to a nation mired in a period of malaise. Even with the long, illustrious career Al Michaels has, 36 years later this event is still his signature moment. By now, you've probably figured out that I'm talking about the "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. hockey team defeated the "Big Red Machine" of the Soviet Union.

That a bunch of college kids could beat the Soviet team of amateurs in name only was unthinkable. The Soviets had won five of the last six Olympic golds, and they dominated the world championships of the era. They had taken some of Canada's top professional players to the brink in the 1972 Summit Series and then beaten them handily in the 1974 rematch. Many of them were teammates on the club level with CSKA Moscow, as well, so they were a true team.

There really wasn't need for any proof that the Soviet team would likely destroy the American team, but we were given some in the run up to the Olympics. The Soviets went 5-3-1 in exhibition games against NHL teams and won the Challenge Cup by defeating the NHL all-stars 6-0. Plus, the American and Soviet teams squared off in a pre-Olympic exhibition match, and unsurprisingly, the USSR won 10-3. Since a stunning loss to the Americans in 1960, the Soviets had been on a tear in the Olympics, going 27-1-1, and they showed no signs of letting up.

There was no reason to believe that February 22, 1980 would be anything other than just another day at the office for the Soviets. There was no surprise when the Soviets struck first, but the the Americans answered. The Soviets scored again, and the Americans tied it again in the last second of the first period. The lone goal of the second period was scored by the Soviets, and going into the third, it appeared that the inevitable would happen, even if not by the margin expected.

Then, something amazing happened. The Americans tied the game on a power play. Then, halfway through the period, Mike Eruzione scored from the slot to give the Americans their first lead of the game, a 4-3 lead that they would hold on to.

The call is now familiar: "Do you believe in miracles?! YES!" As far as hockey was concerned, it was a miracle. The sports world couldn't possibly give more of a David over Goliath than that game did. It seemed impossible, but it wasn't; it happened.

In the Christian life, we will face tasks that seem impossible, and if we try to tackle them in our own strength, they are. If we tried to battle all of our trials ourselves, we'll find that we face steeper odds than the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. The truth is, however, that they are not impossible. We have a source of strength that will allow us to win every battle if we will tap into it.

In Matthew chapter four, Jesus was tempted by Satan, and He easily overcame it by quoting scripture. We as Christians have that same resource. We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, meaning that God Himself is with us at all times, and is there to help us. He has promised us a way to escape temptation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

In a one-on-one battle with Satan, you're a huge underdog, and so am I. In fact, we're guaranteed losers. But, thanks be to God, through His strength, we have the chance to win every battle. That's more cause for celebration than the "Miracle on Ice." It's part of the miracle of salvation.