I just got back from vacation and our time in Florida started with my brother and I watching the NFC
championship game in a sports themed restaurant in Orlando. When we got there, the AFC championship game
was going on and when it was over, we got our table that was facing these huge TV screens. As 49er fans my
brother and I were excited to see the game played out on the “Niners” home field across America, in San
Francisco. Well, the game did not go well for our team in the first half. As a matter of fact, it was horrible. The
Detroit Lions did just about whatever they wanted, and they scored often! We noticed that when the Lions
scored it seemed like the whole place erupted in this wild celebration. Now there had to be over 150 people in
this huge auditorium-like space. And as I looked around us, I noticed nothing but Lions’ jerseys and shirts.
Finally, in the first half, the 49ers scored…and 5 of us in this whole room stood up and cheered. Talk about
being outnumbered! I couldn’t help but think that this was kind of a parable of what it is like to be a follower of
Jesus in this world. It seems like everyone else is rooting for the other side and there is just a handful of those
who are rooting for Jesus. Well, if you watched or heard about the game, there was one of the greatest
comebacks by any NFL team that took place in the second half…and the Niners won! That second half was
pretty quiet except for the 5 of us standing and cheering. I loved the way the game ended, but I couldn’t help
but feel like the parable was completed before us. We were vastly outnumbered, it looked like victory was
totally out of the question, but in the end, we few were on the winning side. I loved the parable and was thrilled
at how the game ended. As a matter of fact, my brother had to pull me down as I stood and began singing “I left
my heart, in San Francisco…”. Sometimes I do get carried away…by a great game…and a pretty awesome
parable played out before me. A reminder that no matter how outnumbered you may be or feel…you and God
will prevail. And no matter what the score is right now in history…God assures us that the victory is his. And
because we are following him…it is our victory too. So don’t grow weary, don’t lose hope…and never give up
on God! But do be careful about what you choose to sing…sigh…
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
2 Chronicles 20:15 NLT He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Remember I’m praying for you...
With love, Pastor Joe P.
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
2 Chronicles 20:15 NLT He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Remember I’m praying for you...
With love, Pastor Joe P.