This devotional really spoke to me today and I felt led to post it for everyone. May it bless you.
March 27, 2012
It's Not Over Till It's Over
by Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ," (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV).
Friend to Friend
It's called "The Final Four" and in the Jaynes' home, it is important…at least to some of us.
It was Friday night and my son, Steven, and husband, Steve, were watching the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels basketball team take on Southern Cal. All three of us had graduated from UNC and we were pulling for the Tar Heels, but it wasn't looking too good for the home team. Part way through the game, we decided to play a game of Scrabble to augment the excitement. By the end of the first half, we were down by 16 points and the Scrabble game was over. (I won, by the way. A rare occurrence.)
"We're going to lose," we agreed.
"It's not worth staying up for," Steve said. "It's late. I'm tired, and they look tired too. I don't want to watch them get creamed. They'll never come back from 16 points."
So we turned off the television and said our goodnights. You can imagine our surprise Saturday morning when we opened the newspaper to read the headlines…"It's a Tar Heel Blitz!" (I'm losing some of you ladies here, but stay with me!)
The coach must have had a powerful pep talk at the half, because the Tar Heels came back "crashing to the offensive boards" coupled with a "suffocating defense." Southern Cal's 16 point lead became 10, became 6, became 3 and suddenly UNC had the lead. Once they had it, they wouldn't let it go. They scored 18 straight points and eventually won, 74 to 64. What an exciting game! And we missed it.
I don't usually get excited about basketball, but I do get excited when God teaches me a life lesson or gives me a practical example of a Biblical principle. See, sometimes we quit too soon. Perhaps we're struggling in the game of life and it appears that we're going to lose. So we quit – turn off the game and go to bed. But here's the thing…just because it looks like we're losing, doesn't mean we are. The game is not over! God is still at work. The celestial team is still on the court.
Many times I give up too soon on a situation that looks bleak. And when I do, I miss the thrill of victory. I miss watching God turn a seemingly hopeless situation into a miraculous win for the home team.
In the Bible, Paul wrote that we are "more than conquerors" in Christ Jesus. Conquerors don't give up when things get tough. They don't quit.
I imagine when Jesus died on the cross and was buried in the tomb, the disciples thought the "game" was over. Imagine if they had newspapers back then. Imagine Peter, John, or Thomas opening the front page and reading the headlines…"The Tomb is Empty! Jesus is Alive!" They gave up too soon.
Are you going through a struggle in your life right now? Do you feel the situation is hopeless? I want to encourage you…do not give up! God is always at work and I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss one second of the miraculous win. I don't want to hear about miracles second hand, but watch them take place before my very eyes.
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, forgive me for giving up too soon. I pray that my faith will remain strong in all situations. Even if I can't see You at work, I know You are.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
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