6-19-2022

 Good Morning!    

           Romans 8:31; “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

    They used to call them “ringers.”  The term was derived from horseshoe pitchers who rarely missed.  Every time they tossed a horseshoe, it was expected to be a ringer.  The term developed into meaning someone who could not be beaten.  So, if you go to the local pickup basketball game at the “Y” on a Saturday morning and bring in your cousin Steph Curry; he might be a “ringer.”  If you go to the company softball game and bring along Byron Buxton; he would probably be a “ringer.”

    It can come in handy to have a “ringer” on your team.  Having a ringer can tip the balance between winning and losing.  It can actually tip the balance so that the game isn’t even close.  A ringer will do that; he can so change the course and outcome of the game that sometimes your opponent will not even compete. 

    That is what we have in our relationship with God.  God is our “ringer.” With God fighting for us, who can possibly stand against us?  That is the question that Paul asks leaving out the obvious answer, no one can stand up against God.  You can’t, I can’t, and the devil can’t.  Hopefully, you and I don’t want to stand against God.  But the devil, he’ll try to stand up to God.  He loses every time, but he still tries.  Ultimately the devil knows he cannot stand up to God, but he tries with an act of false bravado.  The devil does this so that he can try and convince you that he can stand up to God; that somehow, he is God’s equal.  He isn’t even close.

    The only way the devil can win is to try and convince you to play the game without God on your side.  The devil will play you in a little “one on one” and you will lose.  That is the only way the devil can win.  He will whisper in your ear all sorts of lies.  They might attack you when you are weak.  He will tell you that you are worthless, no one cares for you, all the trouble in your life you deserve it.  He will try and cause you to worry and fret over little things and try to draw you away from God.

    He might try and butter you up telling you how wonderful you are, how fantastic you are, how you don’t need God.  See, there is no end to the lies he will tell you; playing off whatever emotion that you are feeling, he will go after it with a vengeance.  Yet the devil will never win as long as you trust in God and his promises.  God is for you, who can be against you?  God’s love and grace have been poured out upon you, who can top that?  God sent his Son to pay the price for our sin to redeem you, does it get any better?  God is for you; that is all that matters.

Gracious Father, as we face the trials of this life, we do not face them alone.  You are always with us and are always protecting us.  You are our champion.  With you we have certain victory. Give us the certainty of this truth.  Guard us with your Word and protect us with your arm.  Be with those who are battling at this time and feel like they are losing.  Give them the confidence to hold onto your promise forever.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret