After yesterday’s showdown with the San Francisco 49ers and their 20-17 win, the Baltimore Ravens have become the consensus favorite to win the Super Bowl.

The Ravens showed they could still move the ball enough against one of the league’s most dominant defenses and proved they can win in a tight, grind it out kind of game.

This was a different type of win for Baltimore considering they beat the Patriots 37-20 earlier this season…and blew out the last three teams they played with these final scores: 45-6 (Rams); 41-7 (Texans); 49-13 (Bengals).

They have now won eight straight games and passed their most recent test by kicking a game-winning field goal and converting on a key 4th down while stopping the 49ers on their critical 4th down attempt.

Ravens tight end, Mark Andrews, put it this way after the game: “They were a 10-1 team. They had lost one game all season. The way our team fought, the resilience, these are the types of games that kind of mold you and mold your personality as a team.”

Of course, it’s comfortable and nice to win big and convincingly, but a tight game like the one on Sunday reveals who a team really is and shapes them moving forward.

By showing resiliency and demonstrating they could handle the pressure of a tough test, the Ravens gained confidence and hopefulness for their Super Bowl chances.

With that in mind, how are we handling our own tests? Are we demonstrating resilience and strength in the midst of pressure? Are the tests growing our faith in God while molding and shaping us into someone with confidence and hope in Him?

The “blowouts” and comfortable aspects of life are great and nice, but it’s the “tight games” and tests that reveal who we really are and where our heart truly is.

Proverbs 17:3 (NLT) says, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

Tests come in many different forms, but there are blessings when we pass them. James 1:12 (AMP) gives us this encouragement:

“Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Today, let’s continue to seek the Lord, pursue integrity, and keep our hearts aligned with Jesus. Let’s embrace the tests as we trust Him to give us the strength we need to be resilient.

Then, we’ll be able to say confidently, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in Your faithfulness” (Psalm 26:1-3; ESV).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would trust You without wavering and that my heart and mind would be surrendered to You. Please help me to be resilient when tests come my way and help me to persevere when temptation appears. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS: