The most highly anticipated NFL game this past Sunday was between the undefeated Steelers and their division rival the Baltimore Ravens.
Although the Ravens rushed for 265 yards and outgained the Steelers by 236 yards overall, they fell short 28-24 in this tight game.
Lamar Jackson was last year’s MVP, taking the NFL by storm with his electric and dynamic style of play. He hasn’t been quite as dominant this season, but he’s still keeping the Ravens in playoff contention and is a top quarterback.
As good as he is most weeks, the Steelers have figured out an effective approach when they play against him. In a game against him last year, they forced three interceptions and on Sunday they forced four turnovers, including a pick-six on the first drive of the game.
Their execution and strategy are impressive, but how their team views Lamar Jackson is also critical.
After the game, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin explained it simply: “We respect him but we do not fear him” (reported by NBCSportsWashington.com).
This kind of mindset is very important when you consider a team’s mental perspective before and during a game. How players and coaches view the opponent, especially their best player, factors into their preparation and approach.
A team can lose when they don’t take the other team seriously and lack respect…and they can lose when their fear is so great they don’t think they can win.
In sports, players need to learn the positives and negatives of respect and fear and how closely connected they are. As followers of Jesus, we also need to grasp the meaning of these two words and, specifically, how our lives can change for the better when we have a proper view of both respecting and fearing God.
Instead of having only limited respect for God’s power, we must revere His majesty as the sovereign Creator of the universe.
Instead of thinking we can never win, or fearing that He’s out to get us and looking to punish us at every turn, we must understand His unconditional love and trust His discipline is because of that love.
Instead of only focusing on God’s incredible grace and then doing whatever we want, we must respect His holiness and the justice needed for our sin.
Because Jesus paid the price for us on the cross, our fear of the Lord should be filled with awe and adoration leading to dependence and obedience.
Having a proper fear means we acknowledge that God is capable of anything, and surrendering to the fact that He’s in charge and worthy of our devotion.
The Bible gives us a clear picture of what it means to correctly respect and fear God. Proverbs 1:7 (AMP) explains: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge ; but arrogant fools despise wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.”
When we embrace who God is and that He demonstrates grace, love, holiness, and justice, we are led to a worshipful heart that gives Him our highest respect.
By taking His Almighty Word seriously and knowing we don’t deserve His grace, we have a healthy fear that leads us to please Him and honor Him in the way we live our lives.
Proverbs 22:4 (AMP) promises that “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life.”
Today, let’s think about Mike Tomlin’s words about Lamar Jackson and take them a step further. Let’s respect and fear our God who loves us and made a way for us to know Him.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are worthy to be praised. I’m in awe of Your power and love. I pray I would have the proper understanding of what it means to respect and fear You, and that my life would be a reflection of this. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How would you explain what it means to properly respect and fear God?
In what ways does your approach or view of God need to change?
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