The year was 1901, it was just after the turn of the 20th century, and the University of Michigan was about to see one of the most dominant and one sided performances in the history of sports.
In their first year under head coach Fielding Yost, Michigan finished the season undefeated with an 11–0 record, and outscored their opponents by the unprecedented total of 550 to 0. They became known as the first of the famed “Point-a-Minute” teams. The Wolverines concluded their season on January 1, 1902 by defeating Stanford, 49–0, in the 1902 Rose Bowl, the first college football bowl game ever played.
The 1901 Michigan team featured two future College Football Hall of Fame inductees, Neil Snow and Willie Heston. But they would be remembered as the team that finished their season, not only without a defeat, but without a point scored against them. They were the perfect team, without blemish, completely blowing out everyone that came across their path. Snow was selected as an All-American by Casper Whitney for The Outing Magazine, and four Wolverines were selected for the All-Western team: Snow (fullback/end), Heston (halfback), Boss Weeks (quarterback), and Bruce Shorts (right tackle). They were the best of the best, and everyone they played would fall.
They defeated Albion 55-0; Case, 57-0; Indiana, 33-0; Northwestern, 29-0; Buffalo, 128-0; Carlisle, 22-0; Ohio State, 21-0; Chicago, 22-0; Beloit, 89-0; Iowa, 50-0; and the Rose Bowl win against Stanford, 49-0. Not even a point was scored against them! Impressive!
But not even the greatest of sports seasons compares to the dominant performance by Joshua and his army as they blazed their way through the Promised Land after entering Canaan. One city after another falls, city after city burns to the ground in ruins, the wicked people die by the Israelites’ sword. God’s power was truly on display as the Israelites rampaged through the land, taking back what was promised to them by God.
Today, I read again through the story of the fall of Jericho and the supernatural stopping of the sun in chapter 10. What an amazing story! I heard this story a lot as a kid, and I would think, “Wow, God used only trumpets and shouting to break down the walls of Jericho!” At the time, it was a nice little Bible story, with kind of a goofy mental picture – people shouting at walls! – to take over the city. But today, I think of the extraordinary faith it took to actually obey God’s command to spend seven days marching around a city, and trusting that God would intervene. Although to be fair, they had just witnessed God’s power in stopping the Jordan River for crossing. But that didn’t stop them from complaining after the miraculous wonders in the desert! I digress.
Now I know what you are thinking. One could argue that the sin of Achan in chapter 7, and their first defeat at Ai, could be considered a “loss” or a point against “Team Israel.” Fair enough. But, consider Joshua’s reaction – he dealt with Achan and his family swiftly and severely! He got rid of every trace of his family, exactly the way God wanted, purging the people of the wickedness he brought into the community by coveting and stealing the plunder God commanded to get rid of. It was harsh, but God demanded against it. Achan did not listen. His sin led to his downfall.
Joshua would quickly attack Ai again, and this time win, so I consider it more of a mulligan. Like the first one was just an exhibition game. That’s my argument, and I’m sticking to it!
Over seven years of war, Joshua and his army would defeat 31 kings in all, taking the Promised Land for the Israelites. It was complete domination. With God on their side, they had the ultimate weapon, the Deliverer! So how does this story apply to us?
The message is simple: With God on your side, all things are possible. Have faith that God will deliver! On a worldly level, the 1901 Wolverines, the 1972 Dolphins, the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers, the 2009 and 2010 UConn women’s basketball team – you pick your undefeated team – nothing compares to the dominance in your life God can provide if you trust your life in Him. As Joshua likes to say so much in his book, “Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged.” In the case of Jericho, God told Joshua that the city was “already delivered into his hands.” The enemy was already defeated! What confidence this must have given Joshua!
In the same way, our spiritual battle has already been decided. Our enemy, has already been defeated by Jesus! What confidence this should give us as we walk for God! There is a popular saying I remember hearing a lot at Word of Life camp when I was in high school, a popular hook from one of the Impact Team’s songs – “I read the back of the book, and we win!” This should give us confidence as we live for God, knowing that the battle has already been decided, and that Satan will one day be defeated for good! Praise be to Jesus!
So next time you feel like you are locked in a back and forth battle for the win, a tie game, or even losing the fight in the 10th round, God is a God of wonders and miracles, a God that can deliver the strength you need to come out on top, score points for the Kingdom and defeat your enemy, Satan, as you grow closer to Him! We may not be perfect, and our season of life may be marked with some defeats, but there is victory in the end for those who trust in Jesus! AMEN!
Amen Adam!! All things are Possible with God!!