In 1992, the United States used professional basketball players for the first time to represent the country in the Olympic Games. Composed of the leading players of the N.B.A., they crushed their opponents en route to an easy Gold medal. They were nicknamed the Dream Team. A few years later, a team of twelve superstar lawyers represented O.J. Simpson in the 1995 murder trial of his former wife and Ronald Goldman. They were also dubbed the Dream Team and successfully got Simpson acquitted of all of the charges. 

Whether it is a sports competition, a legal trial, or a battle of armies, the respective leaders and organizers will always choose their top performers to ensure victory. It certainly worked for these prior dream teams. Thousands of years ago, the nation of Judah was faced with certain destruction as three armies readied to attack the outnumbered Hebrews. King Jehoshaphat was terrified of the impending battle. So what did Jehoshaphat do? Did he ally with a neighboring kingdom? Did he create an elite force of warriors? Indeed, he did!

They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

2 Chronicles 20:20-22 (NASB)

Jehoshaphat’s response was to call for prayer and fasting, beseeching God to intervene and help them against their enemies. God answered through a prophet who reassured everyone that victory would be theirs. As a sign of his faith in God’s promise, Jehoshaphat chose his musicians to lead his army, who were triumphant over their enemies!

We have all been in situations in life when we are faced with overwhelming odds. Isn’t it reassuring to know that God blesses us with His dream team? It is not our definition of a dream team, composed of elite athletes, attorneys, or warriors. God is not partial to academic credentials or titles. He chooses the ordinary, the weak, and the disenfranchised to shame the wisdom of the world. God’s dream team is composed of men and women of faith, empowered by His Holy Spirit. 

Amen!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.