Some of the greatest moments in the
history of sports have happened after many fans have given up on their team or
athlete and “left the building”. Such was the case this past Sunday in the
football championship playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle
Seahawks. The Seahawks pulled off one of the most exciting
finishes of the NFL season on Sunday with their come-from-behind victory. They are well known for the loudness of their
fans, whom they refer to as their “12th Man”. But some of the famous
"12th Man" had to catch Jermaine Kearse's winning touchdown in overtime from outside of CenturyLink Field ...
even though they were once inside the stadium. With the Seattle Seahawks
trailing 19-7 with five minutes to go, lots of Seahawks fans were spotted
leaving the stadium. When word of the comeback
spread, many tried to get back in, but were denied re-entry, a common rule at
NFL stadiums. Instead, they had to do the NFL fan version of the "walk of
shame" and catch it on TV outside the gates.
These fans had given up hope and had
given up on their team. They believed their beloved team was in an impossible
situation so they left the building. By doing so, they missed one of the
greatest events in the history of their team: a comeback you had to see to
believe.
The more difficult the situation, the easier it seems
or more tempting it is to lose hope. On the narrow road where we walk with
Christ we are likely to face circumstances that will challenge our hope. It can
look like the world is winning. And it can even seem, at times, that we don’t
have a chance. But we can always have hope… because of Christ. Paul tells of
Abraham’s hope in Romans 4 (vs.18-21) – “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the
father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your
offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his
body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that
Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the
promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being
fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
Abraham could have pointed to all the reasons why he should never have been
able to have a child, but he didn’t give up on God, and God’s promise. His hope
prevailed, so he never “left the building”. In the memorable words of Yogi
Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over!” God had the last word, as He always
does.
Hope is only as good as its object,
and the Lord is certainly the most worthy object in which to place our hope.
His will and His Word will always prevail and He is worthy of our confidence.
When we face the next “no win” situation, it will be good to remember His
words: "Ah, Sovereign LORD,
you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched
arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah
32:17)
Genesis 18:14 (NIV) Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the
appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Jeremiah 32:26-27 (NIV) 26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 "I am
the LORD, the God of all mankind.
Is anything too hard for me?
Psalm 31:24 (NIV) Be strong and take heart, all you who
hope in the LORD.
Psalm 33:20 (NIV) We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 42:11 (NIV) Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so
disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
PRAYER: Father, may my hope, because it is in you, be
strengthened in measure by your strength. Because you are a great God, I may
have a great hope. Set my eyes upon you, and my hope will not fail. In Christ’s
name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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