Ten months after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his pitching arm, San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky won his first start against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite his cancer surgeon’s prediction, his baseball career was over. He removed half of the deltoid muscle from his biceps—a muscle essential to pitching. Five days after the win over the Reds, Dave pitched his fifth game since returning from surgery. The left-hander’s miracle comeback was cut short by his pitching arm splintering internally between the shoulder and elbow, ending his career. Eventually, his pitching arm and shoulder were amputated.

His comeback season had ended almost as soon as it had begun, but surprisingly, his faith remained intact. He said, “What is so unique about this is, why didn’t my arm break before August 10, when I came back? As I went along, I built up strength. Why didn’t it break in those three rehab games? And why was I allowed to come back and pitch as well as I did and then break my arm five days later? Those are questions where I see the hand of God. So, for me, it wasn’t ‘Why God?’ but ‘What is going to happen next? There is something big going on here, and I’d like to know what it is.’”

Job 38-39 –Glory Revealed

Job 3-37 describes the suffering God allowed in Job’s life to endure as a way for God to be glorified. In Job 38, God speaks and reminds Job that he was questioning the Almighty Creator of the universe. When God questions Job, he cannot answer a single one of them. God drove home the point that Job must let God be God who answers to no one. Job’s story shows God is in control, and not only is His way the best, but everything exists to bring glory to His name.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete don’t waste valuable time and energy arguing with God when surrendering to His sovereignty opens His treasures of forgiveness and fellowship with Him.

Bible Memory Verse – “And I will ask you [Job], and you make Me know! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:3-7 (LSB)