Remembering the Miracle on Ice
CBN.com The year was 1980 and the United States was in serious need of something, anything, to restore a sense of patriotic pride that had been challenged repeatedly in previous months. Iran and its dictatorial leader Ayatollah Khomeini had imprisoned a group of Americans for more than 100 days as hostages. Economic uncertainty raged as inflation and unemployment continued to inch skyward. On the world stage, global uneasiness ebbed as the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan.
A great sense of patriotic pride came from an unlikely source: a band of ragtag misfit hockey players from the college and minor league ranks coached by college mentor Herb Brooks.
Little did the 1980 U.S. Olympic Mens Hockey team know then but they would touch American hearts from arctic Caribou, Maine to arid Palm Springs, California. They permanently time stamped their legacy on American consciousness by defeating what was then a Soviet hockey machine, 4-3, in the semi-final round of the ice hockey tournament. The highly improbable victory insured the Soviet Union would be denied their first gold medal since 1964. The win propelled our unlikely heroes into the finals where they defeated Finland, 4-2, to secure the gold medal.
But long before ABC sportscaster Al Michaels crooned "Do you believe in Miracles?" this collection of talent led by 25-year-old captain Mike Eruzione felt blessed just to progress to that fateful game in Lake Placid.
In an exhibition contest a week before the Olympics, the Americans were unmercifully pounded by the Soviets, 10-3, at Madison Square Garden. Seeded seventh out of 12 teams to start the Olympic tournament, they actually trailed in six of their seven wins, including their gold medal win over Finland. They were the epitome of a true underdog.
Considering the level of talent offered by the Soviets, it was remarkable the Americans could even stay in the game with these skating Goliaths. Their team featured no player with the dazzling skills of a Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, but were comprised of extremely solid, workmanlike stick handlers who knew how to find the back of the net. Many of these players, including Alexander Maltsev, Vladimir Petrov, and goaltender Vladislav Tretiak, had been on the team since 1972.
What should be remembered about this modern day example of David vs. Goliath is the wave of patriotism it set off. Hundreds of American flags waving in the hands of adults and children created an ocean of red, white, and blue that was never forgotten.
But more importantly, in this age of terrorism, war, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring, we must remember that nothing is too difficult for God whether it be hockey games or your health. He is the ultimate source for all wisdom, justice, goodness, power, and truth. This is illustrated very well in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah.
Known as the reluctant prophet, Jeremiah faithfully preached Gods message of judgement to the unbelieving people of Judah for over 40 years. In chapter 32, verse 17 he prays out to the Lord saying, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you."
It is amazing to think that such an unheralded team could overcome such great odds to win what seemed so unwinnable. Likewise, it is unimaginable to think anything good can ever come from seemingly hopeless situations. But we have seen it. Fractured families have been restored, lives lived in the muck and mire have been cleansed, and nations have withstood some incredibly dark days.
Gods power and love for us makes all things possible. Nothing is too hard for Him.
Each time that we depend of God
To meet our daily needs,
Our strength in Him will be increased,
Like mighty trees from seeds.
- Sper
Today, marks the 30 year anniversary of a miracle that no one foresaw or expected. But it happened and it can happen to you. Do you need a miracle today?
Material from the Associated Press used in this article.
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