The Final Score

We were nervous even before we reached the stadium.

We had come to watch our favorite football team play a strong rival. Throughout the game we fidgeted, cheering when our team pulled ahead and agonizing when they fell behind. With one minute remaining, our team was losing by four points. We jumped and yelled until--at the final second--our team scored the winning touchdown.

Ah, sweet victory! We could finally breathe normally again. We left the stadium exhilarated, but utterly exhausted.

What a contrast to the next day. We relaxed on our couch, watching a reply of the game on TV. We stayed calm even when our team fell behind. Nothing could shake our confidence in the outcome of the game.

"We're much more at ease today," I commented.

"It's easy to relax," answered my husband. "We already know the final score."

His comment reminded me that those of us who follow Christ also know "the final score." Sometime we lose sight of it.

As we work for justice and the progress of the Good News worldwide, we can get discouraged. We grieve because righteousness grows more out of place in our culture. Evil gains ground. Violence, injustice and sorrow continue unabated. God's people suffer persecution and horrendous loss. We find ourselves losing heart and becoming pessimistic in our old age.

But then we spend time replaying God's sure word to us. We remember the final score:

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:9 NIV
 
The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.
 Revelation 11:15 NLT
 
Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people.
Revelation 21:3 NLT
 
There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 NLT
 
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming..."
Isaiah 35:3-4 NLT
 
Fortified with these unbreakable promises, we lift our drooping spirits. Evil is temporary. We keep praying, giving, serving, worshiping and witnessing with steadfast hearts. We relax in the sure knowledge that God's kingdom will come, fully and forever. Jesus will reign!
 
 
That is the final score.

                                   ©MarionSpeicherBrown


 
 

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