The Comeback...

Well, if you are a San Francisco Giants fan like me, then you should have really enjoyed yesterday’s game.  It was the bottom of the eighth inning and our team was behind by two runs.  It was beginning to look like all hope was gone as the Giants do not have very good stats when you look at the number of times that they have come back to win a game after being behind after the seventh inning.  So, low and behold they end up tying the game.  Then with two outs and two men on the bases the Giants newest acquisition Hunter Pence comes up to bat.  Pence is known to be a good hitter but his record since coming over to the Giants has been wanting!

I was nervously sitting on the edge of the couch watching the game on TV with the dog asleep next to me and my wife sitting on another chair near the window in the living room.  I turned to my wife and joked, “Wouldn’t it be something if he hit a home run?”  And then… BAM!  Pence hit a long, high drive to left center and the announcer screamed: “It-Is-Out-a-Here!”  The crowd went absolutely wild and I let out such a loud “Wooo!” that the dog sprang from the couch in shock and my wife sat upright and a little wild eyed on her chair!  What an exciting inning!  The Giants went on to finish the game with their three point lead and take the series from the Colorado Rockies.

After the game my wife and I hopped into the car and took a ride in the picturesque countryside near our home.  While driving I mentioned to Piper that the game reminded me of the scripture that is found in 2 Corinthians 2:14 where it says: “But I thank God, who ALWAYS leads us in VICTORY because of Christ.”  (God’s Word ©)  Like the rapid change in the outcome of the game that occurred due to the right combination of pitches and batters, our ultimate victory in the situations of life can also quickly turnaround from what looks to be a coming defeat to victory when we place our steady and expectant trust in the Lord.

It may not always happen in one inning or in one day, week or even longer.  But as we stand on His firm foundation, our victory at some point is assured.  We have countless examples of this fact throughout the written Word.  Look at Abraham who waited about 25 years to see the fruit of God’s promise of a son, or Joshua who endured 40 years in the wilderness before he was tapped to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. 

“And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephithah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to fight the armies of the aliens…”  (Hebrews 11:32-34 NKJV)  Stories of their victories are written throughout the Bible and they are continuing to be written today in the 29^th chapter of the book of Acts… the chapter in the Bible that tells our stories!  

So don’t give up!  Your victory is just around the next bend in the road.  Keep your trust in our Mighty Deliverer and see it through until your victory shows up on the scoreboard of life!  Then you can say with confidence, thanksgiving and assurance as you read aloud the Word… “For time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and ___________________ (add your name!)… who through faith subdued kingdoms… obtained promises… and out of weakness were made strong!”  

See yourself as Jesus sees you!  Look into the mirror of His Word to observe the correct reflection of you.  Don’t give up before you win the game you’re playing.  Have a great week.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”