Tightrope Tricks

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

This Psalm written by David during his times of war is clear that we cannot depend on weapons of war above God.  The weapons of his day included chariots and horses in battle.  David knew that he could not put his trust in how the chariots ran or how the horses battled.  He knew the only way to truly win a battle was through God.  David was constantly communicating with God to see when he should go forward in battle with his enemy.  Here is one of those times:

When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the Lord saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid.  How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”

~1 Samuel 23:1-4

David moved when God said move.  He fought when God said it was time to fight.  He was in close communication with God to make sure every decision was made by God.  This should make it a little easier for you and I to see how David could say these words of how some trust in their weapons of war, but he trusted in God.  He knew who was calling Him forward, He knew the One who would defeat the enemy.

The weapons of this world cannot save you or I.  Only God can save us from our enemy.  The best way for me to describe this is to share a story with you about a man who was daring and willing to go beyond the four walls of ORDINARY.  Here is some of his story:

Jean Francois Gravelot (The Great Blondin) Amazed Crowds with Tightrope Feats

On June 30th, 1859, at 5pm, Blondin made his first journey across the Falls.  For this crossing, Blondin utilized a 1,300 foot long, 3 inch diameter manila rope stretched from what is now Prospect Park in Niagara Falls, New York to what is now Oakes Garden in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  He began his first walk from the American side and completed his crossing in 20 minutes.  Blondin used a thirty foot long balancing pole that weighed 40 pounds.  He stepped onto the tightrope and started his long descent down the cable, which, at midpoint, was fifty feet lower over the gorge.  There he stopped, dropped a bottle tied a piece of twine into the Maid of Mist tourist boat below, hauled up some Niagara River water, drank it, and resumed his journey, uphill this time.  He arrived on the far bank triumphant, though bathed in sweat.

For two summers, Blondin performed above the Niagara.  During his subsequent performances, he crossed the Falls on a bicycle, on stilts, and at night.  He swung by one arm, turned somersaults, and stood on his head on a chair.  Once he pushed a stove in a wheelbarrow and cooked an omelet.  On one occasion, he crossed blindfold in a heavy sack made of blankets. But his greatest feat was to carry a man across on his back.  During his fifth exhibition, he persuaded his manager, Harry Colcord, to climb on his back and to hazard the long trip across the gorge.  Colcord later described Blondin as “a piece of marble, eery muscle…tense and rigid.”

Excerpt from History Today, click here if you want to read more on The Great Blondin.

Blondin was a tightrope walker who decided to make things interesting.  In many ways, we walk a tightrope every day.  We wake up going into work, wake up to families, wake up to ministry, wake up to all kinds of things that we must walk out.  It becomes a routine.  Something we do because we have to, but in that routine we need to remember that God is the One who goes before us. He is the One who sees everything that lays out before us.  Blondin was not afraid to take risks on the tightrope.  Are you afraid to take risks for God?  Don’t be afraid to stop for a glass of water or do a few tricks along the way.  Blondin had fun on the tightrope and God wants you to have fun in your daily life.  He doesn’t want you to feel stuck in a routine, He wants you to trust Him with the details of your life, even when you don’t understand the details.

One of the greatest things Blondin is known for is the act of carrying his manager across on the tightrope.  Is there someone in your life who needs to be lifted up?  Will you take the time to encourage someone today?  Yes, it takes a great deal of trust to walk across a tightrope, but not when You realize God is there to catch you if you fall.  Remember the first verse.  Trust in God!

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

May you find the time to love someone to Jesus today and carry them if need be to the grace that you found at the cross!

Lord, thank You that I can always trust in You.  I have nothing to fear because You are the One who knows my battles before I begin to even fight them.  May I put my full trust in You.  I pray that I will love those I come in contact with today and carry those who need to know You.  May I not be afraid to do tricks like Blondin did on the tightrope, as I walk out my life in You every day!

Trusting You on the Tightrope,