It’s no secret that one of the most popular sports of the summer Olympics is women’s gymnastics. This year the Fabulous Five lived up to their name and went for the gold--the first since 1996! I spent an exciting night watching every nailed routine. But, one thing was different this time around. I already knew the ending.
There’s been no small frustration about the presentation of results for us from the other side of the ocean. Some social media outlets picked up on this and changed the way they made announcements. But, with a five hour time difference, the inevitable spoiler was bound to happen. So, imagine my irritation when my homepage announced the result of the women’s gymnastics competition several hours before Primetime network coverage. Boo!
Yet, the Lord is using that spoiler to teach me a lesson. You see, I wasn’t nearly as nervous watching this time around because I knew that, whatever happened, we’d still get the gold. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. There was no changing that. So, even if someone botched a routine, or bobbled on the balance beam, or stepped out of bounds on a floor exercise, the USA would still be bringing home the gold. I was relatively calm, confident, and expectant.
How much more should this be the case in my walk with God? I already have the whole story. I already know the ending. With every struggle, failure, and doubt, I can and should be confident that “every word of God proves true” (Prov. 30:5). Anything short of that is unbelief.
God has been gracious to speak promise after promise to His people about our future. Promises like 1 Peter 5:10-11.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
So, I’ll say it to your soul and mine. Take heart! Believe God! And run to win the prize. Our God has won the victory.
What have you learned watching the Olympics? In what area do you need to take God at His Word?
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on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 6:42 am
on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 8:04 am
Yes Lindsey, I am glad I know the "spoiler" because when the Almighty says in Scripture that he is my Provider, my Refuge, my Shield , my Rock, my Sustainer, my God, my Abba Father for the children and the Defender of the widows...I can choose to trust him. I want to shout from the mountain tops of how GOD has provided for us. I don't have a college degree, didn't even have a job when my beloved died, BUT GOD has calmed the storm, he has provided through my "covenant living church family", through other believers, people I don't even know. My church family even created a ministry job for me. This is my GOD and I love knowing the outcome, that he will continue to provide for us, sustain us, comfort us. That comes through being in the word and believing it. I would like to share apart of Psalm 18 with you.
Psalm 18: 1-19 is a beautiful picture of how GOD rescued David and he starts the Psalm with great tenderness and intimacy. (When you read this, pause and reflect on the powerful words and imagery that are on display) "I love you, O LORD, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." Then David cries out in distress to the Lord and the Lord hears him in the heavens. Then the imagery of the next verses of the LORD himself coming to rescue David are amazing as the earth trembles and quake, smoke rose from his nostrils, he mounts the cherubim and soars on the wings of the wind. The hailstones, bolts of lightening and thunder from heaven roar. The LORD shoots his arrow and scatters the enemies. vs 16 says "he reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of the deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy." This is what I love in verse 19...
"he rescued me because he delighted in me."
Can you see the power of the care and tenderness of our loving, strong yet gentle Father rescuing you in your trouble? He has done that for me and he will do it for you if you cry out to him in your time of need through brokenness and surrender.
This is my God and I love him.
on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 10:32 am
on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 11:21 am
on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Thank you so much for your post. As you were sharing that you felt "calm, confident, and expectant" because you already knew the outcome, (that our team would win) I thought of Isa. 30:15 " For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength..." Oh that we would always have that quiet heart and confident expectation, even in the midst of turbulence and uncertainty, even when we don't know the immediate outcome, but through eyes of faith we can cling to the promise of Rom. 8:28, that somehow God will work out for good all the hard things that are causing so much turmoil at the present time.
Dear Rhonda:
Your testimony of God's faithfulness so encouraged me. Thank you, dear sister, for sharing your heart out of such a heartbreaking time. Only our faithful God can bring "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." (Isa. 61:3) May God continue to be your all in all as you journey through this life with Him!
In His love,
Arlene
Ps. 63:8
on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 7:26 pm