Last weekend Riley played in a grand final match for his football team. His team played very well and were three goals up during the last quarter but the other team came back strongly and managed to kick enough goals to narrowly win. It would appear as though Riley’s team failed but in reality they played extremely well, they gave their best and have lots to be thankful for and even, to celebrate. So much of what we see around us depends on winning or losing and we are conditioned to become a people who judge our success by how much we win by. I think Riley’s team will be hard to beat next year!
In the Bible, we often read that success comes out of failure and the best example is that of Jesus himself who gave His life on the cross and while it appeared as though it was a failure, He rose from the dead and in that action on the cross, He dealt with sin and evil. Jesus is the victor from the Cross because He has given us victory over death. So we must remember that even when we are weak then we can be strong in Jesus. The following quote is from the Bible Project.
“Peter comforts Gentile Christians who were suffering under Roman oppression by reassuring them of their identity and purpose. Suffering injustice can feel like evidence of defeat, but Peter reminds the people of the victory Jesus accomplished through suffering. Jesus’ suffering recovered their identity and restored their purpose in life. Now they can take comfort knowing that their suffering belongs to Jesus’ powerful story⏤a story where God heals broken hearts, frees captives, and comforts all those who grieve.”
We see injustice everywhere today and in many places in the world Christians are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. The following verses give us some comfort and understanding in the midst of the various trials that we find ourselves facing.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9, ESV.
Never give up, Jesus hasn’t!