“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
Practice is often easier than performing on game day. Players may joke and play light-hearted pranks on one another during the week when a game isn’t on the line. However, some players don’t sleep well the night before games and others are a bundle of nerves while anticipating kickoff. If two players have equal talent but one of them manages emotions better, the calm teammate is often going to perform better. Though games are not actually armed combat, these battles are intense and it’s not easy to think clearly and perform well under pressure. It isn’t easy to keep peace of mind, especially when facing adversity or struggles.
Real war brewed like a simmering pot on a stove for a long time in Vietnam before American Armed Forces got involved. The efforts were well-meaning but largely unpopular, as more than 50,000 American soldiers died in a land far from home with little, if any, benefit for the homeland. During the 1960s and early 1970s, many people worried about the future of the country and about their sons drafted into a war that didn’t seem to end. At the same time, the moral fiber of the United States started unraveling.
As Gloria Gaither found out she was pregnant with a baby in 1971, she fretted about her child’s future. Even though Gloria doubted whether or not her children could prosper in such an unstable time, she and her husband, Bill, were reassured by the words of Scripture that outline God’s promises. So they sat down and wrote an inspiring hymn entitled “Because He Lives.” The second verse says, in part, “This child can face uncertain days because He lives.” In other words, Jesus confirmed our faith when He rose from the dead. In every situation, a child of God should be confident about the future since Christ triumphed over the grave.
The apostles spoke about the ultimate victory for believers through Christ. Though we will die some day, we live again beyond the grave. “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'” (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NLT).
During times when it seems our insides are boiling and almost overflowing because of all the trouble stirring around us, we need to pause and trust God to work everything out in His time. Before Jesus returned to Heaven, He assured His disciples that all is well, even when it looks bad at the moment. “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
When Christ rose from the dead, He made life after death a reality for every Christian. So we don’t have to worry anymore and can walk in peace and confidence because Jesus guaranteed us a glorious future. Keep your mind fixed on Him, and He will give you the peace to face uncertain days.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Purchase “The Increase 52 Week Devotional” to further grow your relationship with Christ <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
