As teams prepare for week 15 in the NFL, this is the time of year when the final push to make it into the playoffs takes place.

At this point in the AFC, everyone has a chance to make the playoffs, besides the Patriots. In the NFC, every team has a shot to get in, except for the Panthers. Having 30 teams still in the playoff hunt heading into week 15 is an NFL record.

With so many teams in the mix, that means the league is filled with “playoff hopes” as players continue to fight, and persevere, seeing the potential opportunities in front of them.

It may be more unlikely for some teams compared to others, but if they’re still alive, they can’t give up because there’s hope.

Their playoff hopes are mostly based on their current record and upcoming schedule, but the teams with the most hope are the ones who have a coach and quarterback they can trust. The amount of hope they have is connected to how much faith they have in their QB and coach to come through for the team.

Hope is valuable in sports, but it’s also something we need to have in our own lives. Looking positively toward the future, while viewing possibilities and opportunities with confident anticipation, is what keeps us fighting and persevering.

Ultimately though, lasting hope is rooted in Jesus, and we know our future is secure because of Him and the eternal life He’s promised us.

We can also know that in Him, all things are possible because of His power and goodness. Our hope amid our circumstances is connected to how much we trust Him and have faith that He will always come through for us.

As bleak as our “playoff chances” might get, if we’re still alive, we can’t give up because there’s hope.

Fortunately, the Bible is filled with promises of hope. Romans 15:13 (NLT) says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We must also realize there’s a difference between hope attached to a desire…and hope attached to a promise.

The Biblical definition of hope in the New Testament isn’t based on “a feeling of expectation,” but rather a certainty in something that is not yet realized. It’s not just a desire, but deep confidence that it will happen. This hope is rooted in Jesus and attached to the promises of God.

Romans 5:2 (AMP) explains, “Through Him, we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].”

The footnote says that in the New Testament “the word ‘hope’ expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.”

Of course, we hope for things to happen here on earth, but when we receive Christ we know we’ve been given salvation, eternal life, and access to the God of the universe.

The hope we now have is a confident assurance for our soul and because of that, we rest in knowing that even when we don’t “make the playoffs” or get the job or improved health, we still cling to God’s promises.

Romans 12:12 (AMP) says, “constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ]…”

Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT) tells us, “So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.

“Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

Thankfully, we can always be filled with “playoff hopes” because if Christ is in us, we can abound in hope no matter what we face today and will face in the future.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and my strength. My hope is in You, Lord, and I praise You for the assured confidence You give to my soul. Thank you that my hope for eternity is secure in Your promises. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.