Daunte Culpepper – Faithfullness

Daunte Culpepper is one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the NFL today. Daunte Culpepper has started in the pro-bowl 3 out of 5 the last seasons. In 2004 year he set NFL record for most combined passing/rushing yardage in a season with 5,123, breaking the record set by Dan Marino in 1984. In 2004 He led the NFL in passing with 4,717 yards. What's more, in 2004 he had the 4 th -best passer rating in NFL history. As a quarterback, Daunte Culpepper can flat out play.

But how has he done this year so far? In week one Culpepper threw for three interceptions in a 24-13 loss to the Buccaneers. He lost 2 fumbles as well. The media said, “Culpepper looked out of synch from the very start of the game. His accuracy struggled and he was very careless with the football.” In week two it got worse as Cincinnati beat the Vikings 37-8. The headline read, “Bengals embarrass Vikings.” This time Culpepper threw 5 interceptions and still did not have a single touchdown pass for the season.

And so in the first two weeks of play, Culpepper had 10 turnovers and no touchdowns. I listened to the reaction in the media. The sharks began to circle. Some of them called on the coaches to bench him for somebody else. Some of them wanted to fire the coaches. Some of them wanted to fire Daunte. After just two games, the fans were all but ready to give up on their all-pro quarterback.

Isn't it interesting how in this world, the natural reaction is to kick somebody when they are down? You have seen it before: A girl gets pregnant, and in response her boyfriend dumps her. A man gets fired at work because he missed his sales quota for the first time in months. To show her support, his wife leaves him. Sometimes you are just going through a tough season in life where you need a few faithful friends. When you are down, those are the times that the critics are usually the harshest. The phrase, “What have you done for me lately?” applies all too often.

God's attitude of faithfulness toward us is what is so comforting in the world we live in. God does not “Kick you when you are down”. While the world is fickle and unfaithful, God's attitude is one of a faithful rock. He does not give up on you, even when you have a bad week, even if your heart is far away from His, even if you have been making bad life choices lately. God is faithful, and He just wants you to love Him.

In the Old Testament, check out the promise the Lord makes his people as they go into battle.

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." -- “Deuteronomy 31:6

Imagine how confident Daunte Culpepper would feel going into a game if he knew his fans and his team was behind him like this? That is how you can approach life this week. Even when everyone else has given up on you: Remember that God is always faithful and does not turn his heart from you. Turn to Him for comfort and remember that He is on your side.

As we start the second half, reflect on the faithfulness of the Lord for us as described by Paul in Romans 8:38

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.