"When Humpty Met His Match"

 

“When Humpty Met His Match”

 

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.”

 

The first written records of this “nursery rhyme” appeared in late 18^th century England. Its origin is uncertain but some have suggested it goes back to King Richard III (1452-1485) who was killed in battle or the English Civil War (1642-1651) which temporarily ended the monarchy. Later it was used to symbolize the American Revolution and the British attempt to bring its rebellious colony back under its control. In our contemporary vernacular it has come to describe an irreparable negative event, much like unscrambling an egg or putting toothpaste back into a tube, picturing a hopeless situation.

King David faced many struggles in his life, some of his own making and others over which he had little or no control. In Psalm 34 he thanks God for His deliverance from the Philistine King Abimelech and expressed praise for His work in His people: “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues all that are crushed in spirit.” (Verses 17-18, NLT, emphasis added). While our archenemy seeks “…only to steal and kill and destroy….” Jesus came “…that (we) may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). So He replaces our hopelessness with His hope.

In “Broken Pieces” I cited words spoken by Monica, an angel appearing in human form on the 1994-2003 series “Touched by an Angel”: “God can put any life back together, but we must give Him the pieces.” So Humpty Dumpty meets his match when God is at work. He “…is able to do immeasurably than all we ask or imagine….” (Ephesians 3:20) but only if we trust Him to rebuild our broken dreams. Remember, “…Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan