Worship

Scripture

My senior year playing football was full of ups and downs. The biggest moments came from behind wins in games we were expected to lose. We trailed 24-6 in the second half and came back to win 25-24 in our first game after driving 6 hours to the game.  An even bigger victory came when we defeated our cross-town rival (and the number 1 ranked team) with a come from behind win late in the 4th quarter. Of all the moments that year, those two stuck out the most for me. Some of the greatest games in sports feature an unbelievable outcome where one team was completely counted out and somehow still came back to win. The idea of never giving up and that perseverance will pay off creates hope in our hearts. In our walk with God, it’s even more important to realize that hope is never extinguished. If something as small as a football game can show that lesson, allow God to bring that into focus in a huge way. In Obadiah, the Lord says the people of Edom had not protected or helped their brother (Israel). As a result, the Lord was letting them know He hadn’t forgotten that. However, in those warnings we see Him talking about how the people of Israel would one day be back—in other words, their losses were not beyond salvage. He tells us Israel would one day possess an inheritance with the Lord Himself. The truth is that God’s people had gotten themselves into their situation. Yet, He still had plans to redeem them. No matter how bad things appeared and no matter what they deserved, the defeated people would one day be with Him again. As they looked around and saw no hope for their future, the Lord pronounced no future for those who had appeared to be on the winning side. The nations that had done the devastation would be the ones who would eventually lose everything. Those who appeared to have no future actually had one—with God. Sitting in the wreckage of our situations, we can feel like there is no hope or no chance at change. Yet, the Lord changes everything and what seems like defeat can end in triumph. Like all good comebacks, the end isn’t what we expect!

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Exodus 33:14

And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

 The distinguishing mark for us as God’s chosen people, is that His presence is with us. Consider the impact that the creator of the universe is our companion.

ASK GOD

SUBMIT TO GOD

CLOSING PRAYER

Praise God I am not desperately trying to measure up to an impossible state of perfection. Instead, I am surrendered to You Lord, and am covered by Your grace. Lord, don’t stop reminding me of the blessing of your sacrifice. I am thankful for the access I have to Your presence each and every moment no matter the state of my “cleanliness.”  In Jesus Name, Amen.