Last year’s NFL season ended on an incredibly high note, as the New England Patriots came back from being down 28-3 to win the Super Bowl. Anytime I watch the highlights, I still can't get over what an epic game it was.
But in sports, we move on to the next game. A new NFL season beginstonight with the Patriots matching up against the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m pumped to watch football again, and I’m intrigued to see how good the Patriots will be this year.
They’ve been the talk of the offseason, as they've added running backs and wide receivers, and have spent money on improving the defense. Setting very high expectations yet again, they’ve surrounded their elite (yet aging) quarterback with tons of talent.
The Patriots have won five Super Bowls during the Brady-Belichick era, and they've proven over and over what they're capable of doing. They’ve shown they can win in multiple ways, and continue to remind us not to count them out.
The big question on the minds of football fans is, will the Patriots repeat as champions? We’ll watch this season to find out, but one thing we do know...they definitely can.
They proved it when they won back to back Super Bowls in 2004-2005, and they have all the necessary abilities to do it again this season.
As I think about the Patriots quest to repeat, I think we should be encouraged by the concept of repeating. Many of us are in tough situations today where we’re wondering if God is going to come through for us by answering our prayers.
When we find ourselves in a new season or a new struggle, it’s crucial that we look back at God’s goodness and faithfulness from the past, and remember that He is capable of repeating what He’s done before.
We know He’s provided, strengthened us, and redeemed countless scenarios we’ve faced throughout our lives, and can definitely do it again. We have to trust that He is able to come through in multiple ways, and be reminded over and over not to count Him out.
The story of David in 1 Samuel 17:34-37 (NLT) shows how he trusted the Lord to do something similar to what He’d already done:
"But David persisted. 'I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,' he said. 'When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.
'I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!'
"Saul finally consented. 'All right, go ahead,' he said. 'And may the Lord be with you!'”
Today, let’s place our confidence and trust in the God who Has already proven His love and shown us His power over and over again. Let’s be ready to experience a repeat of His goodness!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t forget about all the times You showed up in amazing ways, and really came through with Your power and faithfulness. Help me realize that You aren’t done working in me and in my circumstances...and trust Your plan through it all. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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