Have you ever watched a sporting event and left feeling exhausted from the intensity of the game? Contrast that with watching a game when you know the outcome. Be it football, baseball, gymnastics, or any sporting event, there is an element of stress and anxiety when you do not know what’s going to happen, especially if you are invested in the outcome.
Here is the good news about life and the world … God has given us the outcome - He wins! In fact, He has already won. That is the great message of Revelation. Of course, it does not come without struggle and sacrifice, without great opposition between the forces of God and Satan, good and evil. But if God wins, those who are in Christ win with him. Revelation 12:10-11 says, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ has come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.’”
Even though Satan is defeated, he will continue to do whatever he can to create fear, chaos, confusion and panic in the life of a believer, and in the world, because he is angry. He is like the bully who does not have power but will not give up. As Christians, we must “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to this eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:8-11.
If we fully press into the faith of knowing the outcome, we can hold strong when the enemy attacks. God’s spirit will comfort, lead, convict and remind us of our outcome - we have won!
Our game of life might still be intense at times, but we can remind ourselves that because God has overcome, we have overcome.
This week: Remember that there is an enemy who is out to destroy your family and your life but keep in mind, the battle has already been won. Memorize 1 Peter 5:8-9 and stand firm in your faith.
-Dr. J