NFL linebacker Sam Acho brought the Chicago community together by pairing professional athletes with police officers during the 2020 racial unrest to talk, listen, and heal. “I gathered a couple of guys from each team. It was like Noah’s Ark, two-by-two. We listened to the kids and what they were going through, and we listened to their hearts. We also talked to some police officers and just listened, learned, and tried to find out what we could do to help change the city. We learned that we all have more in common than we think. We learned that some cops are good men, even though they get a bad rap. We learned that these kids, our kids, are tired. They need hope.” He added this advice to his social media platform, “To anyone who is going through pain, anger, doubt, confusion, or grief. Read Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

2 Samuel 3 – Cost of Rebellion

The nation of Israel was divided when King Saul died. Saul’s only remaining son, Ishbosheth, split the nation of Israel into two factions when he refused to follow David. Abner was King Saul’s cousin and leader of the Israelite army. He eventually agreed to serve David faithfully as he had served Saul. Only the house of Judah followed David as opposition arose between the tribe of Judah and the rest of Israel.

Division is the work of the devil. When the people of God are divided against one another, the results can be catastrophic. Rather than serving others, they attack one another, creating strife and civil war. The Bible teaches us to be submissive to those in authority. Whether on a sports team or government. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and God has instituted those that exist. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:1-2).

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete find their security and success through the Lord rather than their own efforts. They know it is the Lord who establishes us where He wants us.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. 1 Samuel 28:3 (LSB)