As week 15 in the NFL wraps up tonight, this is the time of year when the final push to make it into the playoffs takes place.
At this point in the AFC, the Ravens, Broncos, and Chargers have a better chance of taking the last spots in the playoffs, but the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals are still competing because they are technically in the hunt.
In the NFC, every team still has a shot to get in, except for the Panthers, Bears, and Giants.
With so many teams still in the mix, the league is filled with "playoff hopes" as players continue to fight and persevere, seeing the potential opportunities ahead of them.
It may seem more unlikely for some teams than others, but if they're still alive, they can't give up because there is hope.
Their current record and upcoming schedule are the basis for their playoff hopes, 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 having it in our lives is also important. Looking positively toward the future while viewing possibilities and opportunities with confident anticipation keeps us fighting and persevering.
Ultimately, though, lasting hope is rooted in Jesus. We know our future is secure because of Him and the eternal life He has promised us.
We can also know that all things are possible in Him 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 come through for us.
As bleak as our "playoff chances" might get, we can't give up if we're still alive because there's hope, especially the hope that comes from God.
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 the difference between hope attached to a desire and hope attached to a promise.
The New Testament's definition of hope isn't based on "a feeling of expectation" but on certainty in something 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 God's promises.
Romans 5:2 (AMP) explains, "Through Him, we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of the glory of God."
The footnote says that in the New Testament, "'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 are given salvation, eternal life, and access to the God of the universe.
Our hope is a confident assurance for our souls, salvation, and eternity. Because of that, we know we still cling to God's promises even when we don't "make the playoffs," get a job, or improve our health.
Romans 12:12 (AMP) says, "constantly rejoicing in hope …"
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 have "playoff hopes" because if Christ is in us, we can abound in hope no matter what we face today or will face in the future.
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and my strength. I hope in You, Lord, and I praise You for the assured confidence You give my soul. Thank you for my hope for eternity, which is secure in Your promises. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
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