RELAX, IT’S IN THE BAG

                How would we act differently if we knew, with certainty, the end of the story at the beginning of the story? Tonight is game six of the World Series. Cleveland has a 3-2 lead on Chicago. But I’m still apprehensive about the outcome, because in baseball anything can happen. But what if I could know for sure that Cleveland will win the World Series this year? I would approach the game tonight with calm assurance.

                We often live our lives with low levels of fear and anxiety. It is not that we are in a panic or are running scared. Yet we have an uneasy feeling that everything is going to fall apart. Satan continually sows the seeds of fear and doubt into our minds. This makes us timid and reluctant to take risks. Instead of being bold in our faith, we are tentative. Instead of experiencing the joy that Jesus promised us, we experience anxiety. Instead of tapping into the power of God, we see ourselves as weak and vulnerable.

                I want to let you in on a little secret: we win! Team Satan is on the losing side of the equation. Team Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory. So we have nothing to fear. When Peter gave his amazing confession of faith in Jesus, in Matthew 16, Jesus declared game over.   

   "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

    Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

    Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:15-18

                At the very end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus told his disciples to proceed with abandon because nothing could stop them from winning. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Notice how Jesus bookends the Great Commission. He declares that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Then He ends with the promise that He will be with us to the end of the game.

                Throughout scripture, God continually instructs us to abandon fear and replace it with confidence in Him. As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We should never forget that we are on the winning side of life’s ultimate game. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can face every challenge with courage and determination. Even if we face setbacks along the way, we will prevail in the end. That was the message that God gave to Joshua, as he prepared to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land.

    "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9

                The same promise that God gave to Joshua He extends to us. We can face the future with bold confidence that we will have all the resources we need to face the challenges ahead and prevail.

                With the Presidential election looming on the horizon, there is much fear and anxiety circulating. Christians are very anxious about the implications of this election, no matter who gets elected. But this past week, I was reminded of a truth that we should never forget. God is in charge of those who are in charge. We can trust God to lead His church to the ultimate victory; it’s in the bag!

Romans 8:28

    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.