Missed Penalty – LA Rams Beat New Orleans Saints
MISSED PENALTY – IF GOD DOESN’T CALL A PENALTY WHAT WILL YOU DO?
What to do When Your Faith is Tested
A missed penalty was the topic of discussion in the recent sporting news. In the 2019 National Football Conference championship game, between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orléans Saints, in the last few minutes of the game the referees didn’t call what appeared to be an obvious pass interference penalty that would have changed the outcome of the game. It was a missed penalty! The coaches and fans of the losing team were irate. They felt like they had been cheated and robbed. How could they miss such a blatant foul?
Will God Throw a Flag
There are times in our lives, when unfair things happen that impact our lives in a negative way. We want God to throw a flag and call a penalty. When He doesn’t, we question why God allowed such a thing to happen? We get mad and shake our fist at God, “You missed this one God! You blew it. This isn’t fair!” We think to ourselves – if God had just intervened we wouldn’t have to endure the loss, hurt, and pain. Surely, He saw what happened. Why didn’t He throw the flag and call a penalty. He could have at least watched the replay and then do something to make things right”
Testing of Our Faith
It is in times like this that our faith is tested. There are no replays or do overs. So, what will you do? Are you going to blame God and quit, or will you press into God and trust Him to work it out for your good? God never causes bad things to happen in our lives, but when they do, He will use them to help us grow. He will use the negative things that happen – for our good if we will respond in the right way!
Don’t be surprised when your faith is tested! And don’t be afraid! Jesus — who promised to never forsake you — is still there to help you. He is a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalms 46:1) When your faith is tested, the Lord will help you pass the test. “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12–13).
God is God Not Only on the Mountain Top, but in the Valley
God doesn’t throw penalty flags, but He does provide help in our time of need. God does some of His best work in the valleys of life. God is not only God on the mountain top, but He is God in the valleys. God is always with you. He is nearest when He seems the furthest away. It’s during these times that our faith needs to carry us through.
How to Respond
Your Response Makes All the Difference! “Tests” are opportunities to grow spiritually. Instead of despairing when you encounter trials follow the example of the apostle Paul. “Paul said he would glory in his infirmities so that the power of Christ would rest upon him. (2 Corinthians 12:9.) When we respond like Paul and choose to trust God and accept the grace He gives us, Christ’s character will be formed in us. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3–5).
Do These 3 Things – when tested
- Don’t blame God – Praise God
- Don’t run from God – Run to God.
- Don’t doubt God – Trust God
Thomas Aquinas made this profound statement, he said, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Genuine faith doesn’t need an explanation – a penalty called; it rests on expectation—fully persuade that God is faithful, always true to his character and to his promise. (Romans 4:21)
How will you respond? God is looking for faith – genuine faith. Faith is precious to the Lord, it pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6) When you overcome tests you grow spiritually, which causes joy in Heaven, and should encourage you to rejoice, too.
A tested faith is a trusted faith
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”. (2 Corinthians 4:17)