The NFL Sunday slate provided another wild day of football with a common theme of players and teams returning.
In Arizona, quarterback Kyler Murray's return from a torn ACL 335 days ago, lifted the Cardinals to a 25-23 win against the Falcons. They snapped a six-game losing streak and Murray made the key throw on the game-winning drive that set up the field goal.
The Lions returned from a bye and also had running back David Montgomery return from his rib injury. He rushed 12 times for 116 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. The Lions won a thrilling game against the Chargers, 41-38.
The 49ers also returned from a bye and had wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams return to the field after missing the last two games. The 49ers had lost three games in a row until yesterday’s dominating performance of the Jaguars 34-3. The 49ers returned to their winning ways as both the offense and defense looked unstoppable and reminded us of what they are capable of.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans returned to being a threat in the AFC South after winning their second straight game and currently sitting one game behind Jacksonville in the divisional standings. By beating the Bengals, they continue to show us what they're capable of becoming.
Former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to playing at a high level during crunch time. In the second half, he completed all 14 of his attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 33-31 win in Baltimore. On the final drive, he led the way with three clutch throws and a 16-yard run for a first down and helped set up the game-winning field goal.
The Seahawks have been inconsistent in the passing game this season, but on Sunday returned to their impressive passing attack with Geno Smith. He passed for 369 yards and two touchdowns with DK Metcalf having seven receptions for 98 yards and Tyler Lockett grabbing eight catches for 92 yards and a TD.
As fans, it’s great to see top players return to the lineup and teams return to playing how they’re capable of, and likewise, returning can be critical in our own lives.
Sometimes we allow sin and disobedience to cause us to turn our back on God and walk away from His path and pursue our own desires. When this happens, we must return to Him.
Lamentations 3:40 (AMP) gives us this challenge: “Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the Lord.”
When we get “injured” or become inconsistent, busy, distracted, or on a “losing streak,” we must return to church, fellowship, worship, prayer, and obedience so our gratitude, joy, peace, and love for God will also return.
The Old Testament is filled with God’s people being called to repent and return to Him. A conversation between the prophet Jeremiah and God is found in Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT). It says, “This is how the Lord responds: ‘If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me…’”
Hosea 12:6 (AMP) tells us, “Therefore, return to your God, observe and highly regard kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.”
The people of Israel are told in 2 Chronicles 30:9 (NIV), “If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”
Today, in whatever ways we need to return to God, let's do it. Let's continue to walk closely with Him, not turning our backs on Him, and remembering what He’s done for us:
“'He Himself bore our sins' in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by His wounds, you have been healed.' For 'you were like sheep going astray,' but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25; NIV).
Let’s remain “on the field” with our Shepherd and if we go astray, let's embrace His grace and compassion and return to the One who enables us and shows us how to become all we're capable of being.
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've gone astray. Thank you for always welcoming me back with grace and compassion. Please help me examine my ways so I can repent, and thank you for restoring me and allowing me to return to You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. In what ways have you gone astray and returned to the Lord? 2. What have you learned about the character of God when You returned to Him?
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