The following devotional was written on November 20th, 2018 after the Rams and Chiefs played on Monday Night Football. Last night ESPN re-aired this game, so it's perfect timing to unpack it again.
The theme of thankfulness and remembering God's faithfulness are key for us right now as we face an uncertain time. They provide us with much more hope and peace than complaining does.
Also, as live sports have been taken away from us and we look back on classic games, I think we all realize just how thankful we are for sports and how maybe we took them for granted! Enjoy this throwback devotional...
Amazingly, last night’s Monday Night Football game lived up to the hype and we saw as much scoring as we hoped we would. We witnessed back and forth touchdowns by both teams’ offense and defense, while the LA Rams pulled it out 54-51 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
I had a hard time looking away or going to bed because either team could score at any moment and I didn’t want to miss any of the action. The big game feel of two 9-1 teams battling it out, with both quarterbacks playing well and both coaches displaying strong creative offensives, made it seem like a Super Bowl preview.
As I reflect on last night’s matchup, I’m filled with thankfulness for sports. I’m grateful to watch a game with so many big plays and I’m thankful the NFL has young QBs with bright futures. I also appreciate football’s ability to deliver this kind of excitement on a Monday night in November!
As sports fans, we’ve experienced so many classic moments and memorable matchups over the years. When we think about how amazing sports are, we can be thankful for all of the special games we’ve witnessed.
“Remembering” games such as these easily triggers feelings of thankfulness for sports. Similarly, when recollecting all of the classic moments we’ve witnessed as followers of Jesus, it leads to being grateful for God’s continuous favor, deliverance, provision, and handiwork.
In the Old Testament, God also showed His ongoing faithfulness to His people. At one point, He tells Joshua to have his men gather twelve stones taken from the Jordan River to create a memorial for all that He had done for them.
Joshua 4:21-24 (NLT) says, “Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘In the future, your children will ask, “What do these stones mean?”’ Then you can tell them, “This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”’
‘For the Lord, your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over.
‘He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.’”
A game like last night is one of the reasons I’m a sports fan…and why I keep going back for more. Likewise, in our faith journey, it’s important to remember why we follow Jesus, so we never forget that He’s worthy of our trust and hope…and keep going back to Him for more.
By recalling God’s faithfulness, and all that He’s previously done for us, we are better able to keep going. This week, and always, let’s allow our remembrance of God’s love, grace, and power to fill us with heartfelt thankfulness.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please fill my mind with memories of all the times You’ve come through and revealed Your faithfulness. You always give me more than I deserve, and I pray I’d have a heart of gratitude for the many times I've experienced Your goodness. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are some examples of the times God has been powerful and faithful in your life?
What are you thankful for today, despite all of the devastation in the world right now?
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