It’s Wildcard weekend in the NFL and believe it or not, all six playoff games are rematches from the regular season, which is an NFL record. The Seahawks will head to San Francisco to face their divisional rival for the third time this season, but will the result be different in this rematch? During the previous two games, the 49ers won both of them with scores of 27-7 and 21-13, thanks to their tremendous defense. The Chargers and Jaguars are familiar with one another and Jacksonville is not only one of the hottest teams right now, but they already proved they know what to do to take down LA. They won the first matchup 38-10 as QB Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdowns. The Dolphins and Bills are divisional opponents and during the regular season, they went 1-1 against each other. The Bills pulled out a 32-29 win in Week 15 on a last-second field goal, but will the Dolphins be able to make the necessary changes and experience a different outcome a month later in an even bigger game? The Ravens and Bengals split their two regular-season matchups with the Ravens winning the first one and the Bengals winning the second one. The Ravens' defense was strong in both, so will they be able to get to QB Joe Burrow in the rematch? Just because the Giants lost last time to the Vikings, doesn’t mean they will lose again, and just because the Bucs beat the Cowboys 19-3 in Week 1 doesn’t mean they will win again on Monday night. Each of these six games over the next three days starts over at 0-0 and the battle begins again in each rematch. When it comes to our own lives, every day when we wake up, a spiritual battle begins and in many ways, it’s a rematch of what we faced previously. Galatians 5:17 (AMP) tells us, “For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these are in direct opposition to each other , so that you do not do whatever you want to do.” We go up against the same opponent, many of the same temptations, and similar attacks. Our enemy knows how to take us down and we’re familiar with how he’ll scheme against us based on our weaknesses. That’s why we must ”…be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11; ESV). Since it’s a daily rematch, we have to remember that whether we won or lost yesterday, today is a new day and it’s a new fight of faith. That means we can’t let our pride mislead us into thinking we won’t give in to sin today just because we “won” previously…or let our shame mislead us into thinking it’s inevitable we’ll fall again today because we did last time. Rather, each day we acknowledge it’s another battle and prepare for the rematch. We must yield to the Holy Spirit when temptations come and trust in God’s strength to win the daily struggles we face. Ephesians 6:12-17 (CSB) says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.” As we enter each day knowing a rematch is in store, we can still learn from yesterday, make adjustments based on previous losses, and build on previous wins while we rely on the full armor of God. Even though the spiritual battle continues each day during our time on earth, let’s remember our eternal victory is secure when we surrender to Jesus and place our faith in Him. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I can’t battle against my flesh and the evil that I’m up against on my own. I need You and Your power every day and ask You to help me remain humble and dependent on You to fight against temptation and the sin that’s all around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What are the previous sins God has allowed you to overcome that you still have to battle each day with humility and His strength?
2. Why is it so important to understand that each day is a “rematch” and prepare accordingly to battle well spiritually?
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