Fall 2024

Daily Devotional: Monday, February 28 - The Ultimate Champion

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

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Even though Tom Brady did not win a championship on the college level and was not a high draft pick, he distinguished himself in the NFL. It is difficult to find room for all of his memorabilia from winning seven Super Bowls, six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In five years, the recently-retired quarterback will undoubtedly be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Brady played at a high level for more than 20 years in a league where many great athletes are finished in five to 10 years. Though he is larger than life, this champion reached a point where he knew he could not throw the ball as far or as fast as he did a few years ago. Everyone faces limits and we all eventually lose strength.

God is the only one who never ages and is forever the same.

We want to be as bold, strong, handsome or beautiful as we were at age 20, but it will not happen. Though the aging process is challenging, it also is a gentle reminder of our need for God, who is the Ultimate Champion over all things. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31).

Though the apostle Paul was a championship-caliber preacher, he and Barnabas did not want attention. They put the spotlight on the Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ. When the people of Iconium tried to bow and worship Paul and Barnabas as if they were Greek gods, the men of God refused. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 14:14-15).

Some humans may live extraordinary, legendary lives, but only God will be the Ultimate Champion.

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia 

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