We are Pawns on God’s Chessboard (Part 3)

[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.

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).

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).