Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 19:12, ” You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king? ” 

Background

In 2010, the football team of Auburn University won every game it played, finishing with a record of 14-0, and captured the national championship as the best team in the country. Its coach, Gene Chizik, won several coaching awards that year, including conference and national coach of the year. The following year, the team’s record was 8-5, but after a three-win season in 2012, coach Chizik was fired. Just two years removed from an undefeated championship season, Chizik was out of a job. Back in 2004, Auburn went 13-0 and ended the season ranked second in the country. The following three seasons they won nine, eleven, and nine games. But when they finished 2008 with a 5-7 record, their coach was gone. It’s not uncommon to hear the phrase, ” What have you done for me lately? ” in sports. Coaches in this era have become accustomed to the fact that their jobs are on the line from year to year, regardless of the contract they may have with the school or team. 

Application

If you’ve ever been asked to speak to a group about your relationship with Jesus and were hesitant, perhaps because of your lack of experience speaking publicly, or based on your opinion that you have nothing wise or insightful to share, you may have been encouraged to simply talk about what the Lord is doing in your life. The wonderful thing is that is all that one truly needs to do to share Christ. The unfortunate thing is that too often, the stories and the power and presence of God have been too few and far between recently. In fact, you may feel like you’ve been let go from your position as a witness and representative of Jesus. But in reality, God does not let us go. He does not review our record each season and then decide whether to cut His losses. We are the ones who stop coming to the office, who no longer get up early to meet with the Boss. Our energy is being spent elsewhere, and it shows on the playing field. So get back in the game, and let God do in your life what He is capable of. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, honestly examine your heart for reticence and avoidance, and then ask God to use you for His glory according to His greatness. 

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words