The goal was a Sony laptop computer in hand, paid for and eventually on her lap. It was a prize worth much sacrifice because it was valued at $1200 and on sale for $500. The catch being, it was a hot item on Black Friday. Black Friday, 2010, I will never forget. My daughter, a senior in college, needed a new laptop and searching the papers on Thanksgiving Day for “THE SALE” was her goal. When found, she wanted to go to a store 40 miles away and be “IN LINE” no later than 4:00 a.m. And who was deemed to escort her on this expedition? You guessed, mom.
We arrived at 4:00 and after standing in line for 15 minutes, began singing the song “Raindrops keep falling on my head” because that was the case. Moments later strong winds began blowing the rain on us and our clothes were drenched. But not to stop my daughter. She had made the remark that no matter what she would realize her desire. Finally, the doors opened and the stampede carried us physically into the store. Within minutes the store had given out all the tickets (these were given out and then the items could be retrieved). Even though disgusted, she didn’t let that stop her. Making her way to the manager, she began interrogating any other plan of action. He informed her that there MAY be some who would not return to redeem their ticketed item. Finding out that another line would form at 8:00 for the 9:00 “SECOND GO-ROUND”, she informed me that “WE” would be back. And so we were, but not at 8 but 7:15. First in line! How refreshing! She took a seat on the floor under a shelf and of all things, a vacuum cleaner fell on her head. It didn’t hurt her, but what are the odds? Finally, 9:00 (not a minute before) came and Abby was granted her wish. In her arms was the treasure she tenaciously pursued. It just so happened that CNN was there doing live interviews and I went to the interviewer and told him of Abby’s morning. He was amazed and did an interview with her on CNN live. This is what one calls, “BULLDOG TENACITY”.
In the 17th century, bulldogs were used for bull baiting. This was a gambling sport where trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post. Typically, the dog would latch onto the animal’s snout and attempt to suffocate it. Later this sport was outlawed but the idea was redirected in a positive manner. Because bulls are dangerous, the wild animals were cornered and the bulldogs were trained to seize bulls by their noses long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck. The bulldogs would not give up because by nature they are strong-willed and extremely courageous. They rarely “complain” or whine. As a matter of fact, they only bark when they really have a reason and they are never demanding.
Does this in any way give you a great description of how a Christian should be? God made you a promise. His Word is full of promises. Are you holding on to one of them? DO NOT LET GO! You need a healing? Isaiah prophesied that by “His stripes we were healed”. You need a financial miracle? His Word declares that “He wishes above all that we prosper and be in good health, even as our soul prospers”. Is there a jagged web of problems and insurmountable mountains facing you every day? God promised to make the crooked places straight and to level the mountains. We can glean from the Old Testament patriarchs who received promises and held onto those promises for many years until they became a realization. There is an Old Testament term which is equivalent to “Bulldog tenacity”. It is “holding onto the horns of the altar”. In I Kings 1:50, Adonijah ran into the temple, fearing for his life because he had wronged King Solomon. “Adonijah himself, afraid for his life because of Solomon, fled to the sanctuary and grabbed the horns of the altar and said, “I’m not leaving until King Solomon promises that he won’t kill me.” Even the wicked man understood the importance of clinging to the “horns of the altar”. Our horns of the altar are the promises in the Pages and the privilege of prayer. God is not willing for any of his children to be in lack, sick or turmoil. YOU DO HAVE A PROMISE, YOU MUST NOT LET GO! Everyday decree the promise you are holding onto. Oh God, give your children BULLDOG TENACITY!
