Sports Spectrum Daily Devotional: Monday, May 4

“Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the Gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.'” — Galatians 3:8

The Depth of God’s Love

Professional athletes juggle family time and personal responsibilities along with their practice and game schedules. When young couples are anticipating a new addition to the family, they are doing a lot of planning for the baby before he or she arrives. Let’s picture a couple sitting down at their kitchen table to eat some fajitas. Since the morning sickness stopped, the expectant mother craved spicy food. At the time, they didn’t know what the child would look like. Also, the husband and wife didn’t know the name or how healthy he or she would be, but they loved this child many months before the birth.

Before we were born, God loved us. Long before we came into the world, God laid the groundwork for the plan of salvation. Thousands of years ago, God spoke to Abraham about a special great-grandson who was coming one glad day. Abraham didn’t know Jesus’ name yet but he believed what God said and rejoiced in anticipation about the Savior long before his birth. “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the Gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you'” (Galatians 3:8-9).

Clearly, the prophets spoke about Christ long before He came. “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven. Even angels long to look into these things” (1 Peter 1:10-12).

If we read the Book of Isaiah, which was written about 700 years before Christ, then we see a summary of what is written in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Though Jesus was innocent, He paid the price of our guilt in order to provide forgiveness of sin for all who believe.

Jesus loved us long before we were born and loves us forever.

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.

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