[more reasons why I like this analogy]
8) Pawns are not powerful alone, but together they work for the benefit of their king; “…the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him…” (Luke 10:1).
9) Pawns sacrifice themselves to promote another pawn; “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians 2:5-8).
10) Pawns become pieces when they reach the opposite side of the board, but they have to pass through many trials and battles to get there, or they wait at the instruction of the Master for these to pass them by; “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things’” (Matthew 25:21).
11) Pawns are weak, but in the Master’s game, they are strong; “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
“The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield” (Psalm 33:16-20). The only safe place in the game of life is in the hand of the Master.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
We are Pawns on God’s Chessboard (Part 2)
[more reasons why I like this analogy]
4) Pawns are attackers. Pawns attack other pawns and pieces on (forward) diagonals; “'Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine'” (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
5) Pawns are defenders. Pawns defend by not allowing enemy pieces to occupy squares and by standing between a more powerful piece or the king and enemy attacks; “… and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked…” (Nehemiah 4:18).
6) Pawns stay in their file until they see action of taking a piece; “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).
7) Pawns never stand on the back rank; “Go ye therefore…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
4) Pawns are attackers. Pawns attack other pawns and pieces on (forward) diagonals; “'Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine'” (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
5) Pawns are defenders. Pawns defend by not allowing enemy pieces to occupy squares and by standing between a more powerful piece or the king and enemy attacks; “… and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked…” (Nehemiah 4:18).
6) Pawns stay in their file until they see action of taking a piece; “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).
7) Pawns never stand on the back rank; “Go ye therefore…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Sunday, July 18, 2010
We are Pawns on God’s Chessboard (Part 1)
Once, a close friend told me that we are all pawns on God’s chessboard. He meant this in a somewhat negative sense in that we have no control over our position in life and that God is going to do whatever He wants with us as we are disposable. Upon giving some thought to this analogy, I’ve determined that I like the analogy of being a pawn on God’s chessboard, and here’s why:
1) Pawns (and pieces) are of distinctive color in the game of chess. As Jesus said, “no one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
2) Pawns only advance; there is no retreat; “… the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12).
3) Pawns take small steps. Aside from the first move, a pawn can only move one square at a time; “… if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’? So he went…” (2 Kings 5:11-14).
1) Pawns (and pieces) are of distinctive color in the game of chess. As Jesus said, “no one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
2) Pawns only advance; there is no retreat; “… the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12).
3) Pawns take small steps. Aside from the first move, a pawn can only move one square at a time; “… if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’? So he went…” (2 Kings 5:11-14).
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Title Imagery
Chess:
The pinned knight is caught defending his faith; he is immobile but not powerless while still in the game. Each pawn and piece serves to attack and defend in different ways. The knight does so in somewhat indirect ways. The knight is the only attacker who alone forces the enemy to take the knight or move his own king to evade check; the check presented by a knight cannot be blocked. It is one of the weakest pieces in the game, and it aids in victory only when coupled with other forces and while in the hands of a master. A knight (or a bishop) and king alone cannot win a game of chess. Any amateur can win a game when he has a queen or a rook coupled with his king, but to win a game with a bishop and knight takes a higher level of skill. Sometimes, I feel like a pinned knight, directly in the line of fire from an enemy piece, immobile while protecting the King Himself or another useful servant piece.
Culture:
The knight generally carries weaponry and armor just as a believer must take the sword of the spirit and put on the armor of God. However, in an alternate light, among the weaponry a knight would carry is a sword. Swords are powerful when wielded by a disciplined, diligent study of swordplay; the old adage stands true especially in today’s time, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The pinned knight is caught defending his faith; he is immobile but not powerless while still in the game. Each pawn and piece serves to attack and defend in different ways. The knight does so in somewhat indirect ways. The knight is the only attacker who alone forces the enemy to take the knight or move his own king to evade check; the check presented by a knight cannot be blocked. It is one of the weakest pieces in the game, and it aids in victory only when coupled with other forces and while in the hands of a master. A knight (or a bishop) and king alone cannot win a game of chess. Any amateur can win a game when he has a queen or a rook coupled with his king, but to win a game with a bishop and knight takes a higher level of skill. Sometimes, I feel like a pinned knight, directly in the line of fire from an enemy piece, immobile while protecting the King Himself or another useful servant piece.
Culture:
The knight generally carries weaponry and armor just as a believer must take the sword of the spirit and put on the armor of God. However, in an alternate light, among the weaponry a knight would carry is a sword. Swords are powerful when wielded by a disciplined, diligent study of swordplay; the old adage stands true especially in today’s time, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
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