THE FINAL SCORE
I relaxed in my recliner as I watched my favorite football team in the final game of the season. The play clock showed three seconds remaining. My team trailed by five points. If they scored a touchdown, they would advance to the playoffs. If not, they would return home, heads hung in shame.
Normally I would be biting my nails with anxiety, staring at the tube like a cat watching its prey. But I was as cool as a cantaloupe. As the quarterback took the snap. I sat back in my recliner calmly munching popcorn. The QB threw a pass into the end zone. While everyone in the stadium held their breath, I slowly yawned. The receiver caught the ball for a touchdown, just as the clock expired. They were headed to the playoffs! But I remained unemotional, stoic as a statue. Why? I was watching a replay of a game that had ended two hours earlier. I possessed no fear of my team losing, because I knew the final score.
As believers in Jesus, we know the final score of our spiritual game. We can live in victory because we’ve already won! At the cross, Jesus crushed the opposition, and paid for our sins, securing eternal salvation for us (Colossians 2:15). 1 John 5:13 states, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” As members of Team Jesus, we share in his victory. The final page of the Bible declares, “[we] will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).
Every day we’re bombarded with stressful situations—some downright devastating. Before God calls us home, we’ll all shed gallons of tears. But knowing our final score is a game-changer. We can breathe easy, assured that our victor’s crown awaits us (Revelation 2:10). Compared to our rewards, a Super Bowl ring is like plastic vending machine jewelry.
Cling to this truth in the midst of heartache. Dwell on it in the depths of despair. Let it overcome you in moments of intense pain. No matter what we’re going through, knowing the final score frees us from fear (1 John 4:18). I'm learning this in grieving my wife's death. We can rest in Jesus. We can kick back in our recliner and watch the video of the game Jesus already won. Because we know the final score.
Principle: We can rest in Jesus, because we know the final score of our spiritual game.
Ponder:
What fears do you face most often in life?
How does knowing the final score help you live a life of peace?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Revelation 22:1-5.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your victory at the cross. Help me live in victory, even as I face my greatest fears
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