LifeLink  Devotions for Thursday, June 13, 2024

Small football players fascinate me. One of the greatest running backs of our era didn’t think anyone in the National Football League would give him a chance because he was too small to succeed. But the Dallas Cowboys liked what they saw in his heart and gave him a chance. For fifteen years he was the model of sportsmanship and success. Here’s what Emmit Smith accomplished:

He was rookie of the year, three-time rushing champion, three-time Super Bowl champion and once was the Super Bowl MVP. He also held or still holds eight different
NFL records. 

What it is that makes a 5’9”, 180-pound running back have any kind of a chance against 6’5”, 275-pound defensive lineman? There is only one answer – wisdom and guidance.

Proverbs 24:5-6  “A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”

First of all, he surrounded himself with a bunch of 6’5”, 300-pound offensive lineman to run interference against the huge, headhunting defensive guys. He was made strong and earned victory because of the many advisors that he had – from coaches teaching him what to look for in defensive alignments to other players making a path for him on which to stay safe.

Secondly, he filled himself up with as much knowledge of his opponent as possible, so that when he came into the game situation he was able to adjust his running to what he recognized the defense would try to do. His eyes were always alert to the location of every opponent, and he avoided being hurt by running where they weren’t.

There are some great spiritual lessons for us in this that can be applied to how we run the race that has been marked out for us by God. Here’s one of those lessons for today.

Fill yourself with the determination to be a spiritual success, which is really a product of the filling of the Holy Spirit. It is an act of our will to surrender to the will of God and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish that purpose. We must make it our priority to be spiritually successful.

When we walk in the Spirit of God, we are promised victory over the desires of the flesh. However, we must be determined to put to death those ungodly desires that disrupt our fellowship with Jesus. We must be determined.

Several years ago a song was released by Tim Shepherd that really spoke to my heart. It was entitled “I Am Determined.” I pray the lyrics will motivate you to be determined to live for the Lord.

Darkness around me, sorrow surrounds me
Though there be trials, still I can sing
For I have this treasure – My God reigns within me
And I am determined to live for the King

Hell’s gates are trembling from our prayers ascending Darkness is crumbling from praises we sing
Our Sovereign, Victorious is marching before us
And we are determined to live for the King

When I am weary – I’ll look to His face
And when I am tempted
I’ll trust in His grace —
Yes, I’ll trust in His grace —–

I am determined to be invincible
‘Til He has finished His purpose in me
And nothing shall shake me
For He’ll never forsake me

And I am determined – I am determined — I am determined to live for My King

Pastor John