One Thing Only

Psalm 27

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027&version=NIV;NLT

  

Last weekend all eyes were on the world of college football in Columbus, Ohio. Saturday night the Buckeyes made their case for getting into the College Football Playoff by defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game.

 

The waiting began for the Buckeye nation shortly after midnight when the game was over. Through the night the committee of thirteen people diligently hashed out what schools would be in the 4-team playoff… and who would not.

 

Finally, at noon on Sunday, the 4-hour announcement program began. Four 4 more hours! Unbelievable! But about an hour into the show, after tolerating the talking heads as they blabbed on about nothing, it was finally announced.

 

The wait had been excruciating… as all waiting is. We don’t like to wait do we? We

want what we want, when we want it. We don’t like the thought of waiting for someone else to have control over some part of our life.

 

According to my NIV study Bible, “David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age 16, but didn’t become king until age 30. During the interim, he was chased through the wilderness by King Saul. Later, he was chased by his son Absalom.” Yet David waited patiently for the Lord.

 

¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.          NLT

 

What gave David such confidence and contentment during these difficult times? For David, there was one thing only. For him, waiting patiently was directly proportionate to seeking the Lord and being in His presence.

 

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple… ⁶ Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me…           NIV

 

Ultimately, the Buckeyes couldn’t count on the committee. But you can always count on the Lord! He may not always give us what we want, when we want it. But He is always with you. He loves you deeply and unconditionally. He is always faithful to His word. And you can take that to the playoffs every time.

 

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http://lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

BELIEVE

Revelation 7:9-17

 

Following the Sugar Bowl, there was a billboard near my home that simply read, “BELIEVE”. The letters were scarlet and gray. Now I’m just guessing that its intent might have been to rally the Buckeye nation to get behind their team for the College Football Playoff championship game.

 

After all, it would have been easy to give up on the Buckeyes this year. They have dealt with numerous setbacks and adversity throughout the season, and yet here they were preparing for the championship game. Obviously the players and coaches didn’t lose hope, so this billboard was to help the fans not lose theirs.

 

The Christian church at the time of John’s revelation was suffering severe persecution from the Romans. The church needed hope. According to the notes in my Life Application Bible, “Revelation is written in “apocalyptic” form which is a type of Jewish literature which uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (the ultimate triumph of God) to those in the midst of persecution”.

 

In today’s passage John describes, “A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”.     Revelation 7:9 NIV

 

Also included was this image: ^“All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God”.                   Revelation 7:11 NIV

 

Visualize these two scenes for a minute. Angels, and a multitude in white robes, both in the presence of the Lord worshipping Him.

 

Before the College Football Playoff started, Buckeye fans “hoped” their team would get to, and win, the Championship game. However, there was no certainty of it. Jesus is telling us through John, that we can be certain of His love, faithfulness and presence in our lives; we can be certain of His promises; we can be certain of His ultimate triumph.

 

Most of us haven’t experienced persecution but we have experienced the struggles of life: a lost job, the death of a family member, divorce, addiction. One thing that is certain in an uncertain world is Jesus – “the same yesterday today and forever”.

 

The Buckeyes may not win the championship every year, but you can hope and BELIEVE, with certainty, in the “ultimate triumph of God”.

 

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be your shepherd; ‘he will lead you to springs of living water. And God will wipe away your every tear from your eyes.”    Revelation 7:17 NIV