The NBA Playoffs have been wildly entertaining so far, and last night, fans witnessed an unbelievable comeback by the Memphis Grizzlies after being down by 26 points. Despite the Minnesota Timberwolves leading by 25 points with three minutes to go in the third quarter, the Grizzlies put together a 23-0 run and outscored the Timberwolves 42-12 in the last 13 minutes of the game. The Grizzlies were able to pull out the win on the road 104-95 to take a 2-1 series lead. This game seemed to be out of reach and the Grizzlies could have easily given up, packed it in, and allowed discouragement to derail them, but instead, they remained in the game and kept fighting. I’m sure most fans turned off the game because it was a blowout and it seemed like there was no way the Grizzlies could get back in it. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies in scoring with 26 points and hit seven three-pointers. During his postgame interview, he talked about how they “stayed with it” and “stayed resilient.” When asked what was being said during huddles when they were down by a significant margin, he explained that to "keep going" has been the story of their season and that it doesn’t matter who's out there because they’re going to “keep fighting.” TNT’s play-by-play broadcaster, Ian Eagle, called a great game and the words he used to describe what the Grizzlies were demonstrating on their way to winning this game (despite the insurmountable deficit they appeared to face) were “relentless,” “resolve,” and “resiliency.” Those three “R’s” reveal the type of team Memphis is and how they weren’t willing to give up, despite the hole they found themselves in. They chose not to pout on the sidelines when they were getting blown out. Today, I’m sure many of us need to huddle up with the Lord to hear the words “keep going” or “keep fighting” when it comes to our own deficits, difficulties, and holes that seem insurmountable, out of reach, and impossible to overcome. As followers of Jesus, we can’t give up, pack it in, or allow discouragement to derail us, but rather we rely on His strength to help us remain relentless and resilient. By trusting the God of the impossible and depending on His power, we can keep fighting the good fight of faith, fighting for our marriage, and showing resolve in tough work situations. As we all know, life is hard and we can find ourselves down by 26 points, wondering how we’re going to keep going. It can be hard at times to remain faithful to God and continue to trust in His love, power, and goodness. However, we don't need to give up or turn the game off or go pout on the sidelines, but rather we remain in “the game” and “stay with it.” Paul gives us great encouragement in Hebrews 10:35-39 (ESV) when he says, "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. "For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming One will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.' "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." Today, let’s not shrink back and get “blown out” or destroyed, but let’s live by faith in the One who will help us endure with resilience, resolve, and relentlessness. Jesus is the One who overcame sin and death with an unbelievable comeback, so let’s not forget He can help us overcome any deficit we face. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I trust You today as I face a challenge that seems impossible. Please help me to keep my faith in You as I rely on Your strength and power to help me remain resilient and relentless. Please help me to keep going and keep fighting instead of giving up. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What challenges or deficits are you facing today?
In what ways has God given you the ability to have resilience, resolve, and relentlessness during a difficult situation?
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