May 30, 2019 (Thursday) The final score is what counts.
As I go back over the blogs I have written, sometimes I come across one that bears repeating. Exactly 12 years ago today I wrote this blog on May 30, 2007, during the one and one-half years I had come back from a pastorate in Houston to become Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church, Rockport.
May 30, 2007
Last night I joined some of our church members at Whataburger Field to watch the Corpus Christi Hooks win their game with the Arkansas Travelers.
At one point our team was down 5-1, but as Yogi Berra was fond of saying, “It ain’t over ’till it’s over,” and our home town boys won, 11-7. The score had changed during the game several times, and at times it looked as though our opponents would win, but we prevailed and victory was ours in the end.
You know, that’s sort of like the Bible Book of Revelation. The “score” at the end of the First Century seemed to be in the Enemy’s favor, but the game was far from over. That “game” is still going on today, and sometimes we may seem to be losing, but the clear teaching of the Book of Revelation is that Christ and His Church will win over Satan and his cohorts. In fact, that’s why the book of Revelation was written — to encourage suffering Christians not to lose heart because they will end up on the winning side of this long spiritual conflict.
Fact is, it’s not a game — it’s a war, between Christians and Satan, and it’s going on all the time. So we are urged in Ephesians 6* to wear all of the spiritual armor** God gives us and to take our stand for Him, firmly resisting Satan’s attacks.
At the end of the First Century, Christians were tempted to lose heart because they seemed to be losing the battle. Believers were being arrested, jailed, crucified, thrown to wild animals, burned alive, buried alive, drowned, you name it. So Christ spoke to the Suffering Saints through John’s letter to them, and that letter came to be known as the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
When you feel like your team is losing, just remember the final score is what really counts. Take heart, accept the task assigned to you by our Lord, and give Him your best. You’re on the winning side!
Authors: E.V. Banks and Sylvanna Bell
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
And I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I was alone and idle, I was a sinner too
I heard a voice from heaven, saying there is work to do.
I took the Master’s hand and I joined the Christian band (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
And I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I left my friends and kindred bound for the Promised Land,
The grace of God upon me, the Bible in my hands.
In distant lands I trod, crying “Sinner come to God” (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
And I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
Now when I met my Savior, I met him with a smile
He healed my wounded spirit, and owned me as his child.
Around the Throne of Grace, he appoints my soul a place (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
And I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die (Oh!)
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
And I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
Yes I promised him that I
Would serve him ’til I die
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.
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*Ephesians 6:10-18, “The Message” translation:
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.