Uno is a classic card game, but one of the greatest Uno cards ever played was in a very unique context. In 2023, a youtube group called the Sidemen hosted their annual charity soccer match against other Youtube creators. During the game, youtuber Max Fosh received a yellow card for a hard tackle. As a former professional referee held up the card, Max Fosh pulled out an Uno reverse card and held it up to the official. The stadium went crazy at the boldness of this reversal.
This may have been a great moment, but it does not measure up to how much God can reverse the course of our lives. We may look to our own strength or wisdom, but ultimately God’s power always prevails. When Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the temple, she prayed a prayer that reflected her awe and confidence in God. She focuses on God’s ability to work in any circumstance and bring about His desired results. From humbling the proud to elevating the lowly, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 describes how God is the great reverser.
1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” – 1 Samuel 2:1-10
- God can reverse your situation
Hannah begins by recognizing God’s activity in changing her life. Of course, her joy was not just in the fact that she had a son, but in the God who provided the son. Our hope is in a sovereign God who can overcome seemingly impossible situations.
- God can reverse your experience
Humans tend to take too much credit and not enough blame. Hannah’s prayer admonishes us to acknowledge God and remember that we can do nothing without Him. He is our judge who will change our lives to bring attention and glory to Himself, not to ourselves.
- God will not reverse your eternal outcome
Hannah’s prayer can be used to describe what God does for us in salvation. Christ was humbled and put in the grave, but God raised Him back to life and the throne of heaven. Now by Christ’s sacrifice, we can be confident that God will never reverse our salvation.
We all naturally try to establish ourselves in pride, but that will only lead to death. Praise be to God who offers us the great reversal of salvation by His love and power alone.
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