Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:3-4 ESV
Series: Games People Play
Isn’t it funny how we know some games are about to end by the shouting of a word or phrase? Bingo! Uno! Yahtzee! If you have ever played a game in a video arcade (yes, they were very popular when I was a teen) and lost all your “lives”, you would see “GAME OVER” in bright lights come up on the screen accompanied by some pretty doom and gloom music. That was the worst feeling—especially if you were out of quarters!
Well, even though games can have a frustrating ending, we still enjoy playing them, competing with others, and simply laughing with friends over the goofy mistakes we all make at sometime or another.
We’ve spent the past five months exploring games people play. Whatever the game may be, there is always a “game over.” Some conclude with a certain card being played, some finish at the bottom of the ninth with the third out, and others with the one holding the most points. Whether it’s a group game or a game played alone, every game we play teaches us something beneficial.
As we shared in the first week of this series, living life is not a game—but it can feel like one. There are pressures, ups, downs, and very real obstacles waiting for us around every turn. Lessons learned by these games help us as we look at our own spiritual life. Even in these places, we find experiences that help our faith flourish and grow stronger. It is wonderful how God teaches us in so many diverse ways. Have the lessons you have learned in the past strengthened your faith? Do you trust God more as you learn more about Him? Is your hope found in Jesus? Oh, how we pray it is.
So, will you play? Will you step out of your comfort zone and join His team? Start by simply saying His name. If someone hasn’t heard about Jesus, how can they know Him? Here’s one play for you out of Romans 10:17:
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (NIV)
Our “end game” as a believer—one who follows and trusts in Jesus Christ—is to spend eternity with our Savior. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us it is by faith we are saved, through Christ alone. So truly, although it is not a game per se, we have a unified activity to take part in, don’t we? Sharing the gospel, spreading the good news about Jesus, proclaiming, worshipping, and thanking Him—even in the hard stuff—these things matter in God’s Kingdom.
No more quarters? No worries! Our game in this life isn’t over. Jesus has provided us new life in Him. Game continued…
Because of what we have learned from the games we have played and written about with you, we are praying these petitions over you today:
- May you walk in love as Jesus has instructed you (2 John 1:6)
- May you acknowledge Him as the author of your story (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- May you hear Him call you by name and answer Him. May you never grow weary (Isaiah 40:28-31)
- May you live in victory in the refuge of the King of Kings, and always seek His wisdom (James 1:5)
- May you find your circle of believers and learn and grow together (Matthew 18:20)
- May you let go of perfection and allow God’s grace to be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- May you stand firm in faith and be strong in the power of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- May you seek Him always (Jeremiah 29:13; Lamentations 3:25)
- May you flourish as you play on God’s court and shine your light for His glory (Romans 12:2; Matthew 5:16)
- May you sing a new song unto the Lord and let His message dwell within you (Psalm 96:1-3; Colossians 3:16)
- May you always you know how valuable you are and who you are in Christ Jesus (Psalm 139)
- May you encourage others daily and promote love and good works (Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24-25)
- May the absolute truth of who Jesus says He is and what He did for you be your testimony (John 14:6; John 3:16)
- May you seek Him, follow Him, love Him, and stand firmly upon Him, for He is your Rock and your Redeemer (Proverbs 8:17; Matthew 7:24; Psalm 25:4-5; Mark 8:34; Psalm 32:8)
In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen, Maryann, Patricia, Linda, Debby, and Steph
Scripture References: all scriptures are noted in above text
