Winning the World Cup is one of the greatest challenges among all of sports, and perhaps the highest valued. Countries invest tons of money and intensely prepare their very best soccer (futbol) players to represent them well.

Germany has been one of the top countries in this esteemed sporting event, finishing second at the 2002 World Cup, third in 2006 and 2010, and winning the World Cup in 2014.

Implementing the Extended Talent Promotion Program (ETPP), Germany has consistently produced top talent and skilled players by developing them at a young age. With youth academies, training centers, and elite coaching available for kids to develop into stars, they have placed high importance on excellence in this sport.

So when Germany was eliminated on Wednesday from this year’s World Cup during the group stage (which has never happened to them before), it was a very big deal.

South Korea beat them 2-0 making it the third consecutive World Cup where the previous year’s champion was eliminated after three games.

This major upset sent shockwaves around the world as the German team let their country down and failed to meet their expectations. A team like Germany is not supposed to fall to a team like South Korea (especially that early), and so this surprising turn of events has added quite the wrinkle to this year’s World Cup.

In view of what’s taken place for Germany, we can all relate to the feeling of failure, letting people down, and not meeting the expectations of others. Sometimes we have bad days, make mistakes, allow pride to take over, and simply fall short. Nobody wants to blow it, but we realize it’s part of this life.

Romans 3:23 (ESV) explains, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Every time we fail to meet the expectations of others or the standard of God, we are reminded of our human condition and a deep need for a Savior. We don’t have to remain in the disappointment of letting people down but rather rest in the promise of the Gospel.

Jesus meets us in our brokenness and offers us salvation and forgiveness. We don’t have to be derailed when we’ve failed but know we’ve ultimately prevailed over sin because of Him.

Today, let’s not lower our standards or expectations but recognize there is grace available to fill in the gap. Let’s rest in hope and peace when we slip…trusting the truth of these encouraging verses:

“The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24 – NLT).

“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever” (Psalm 73:26 – NLT).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I’m weak, broken, and at times fail to meet expectations. I trust You to be my strength, my hope, and my peace when I stumble. I thank you for Your grace and Your love found in Jesus. It’s in His name I pray, Amen.