It's Not Over 'Til It's Over

       "It's not over until it's over."  We probably hear this most frequently during sporting events.  Upsets happen. How many times have we seen the outcome of a game change during the last few seconds? 
        Runners come from behind and win races.  Footballs are thrown to an intended receiver only to be  tipped into another's hands and that other player runs for an unplanned touchdown.  Sometimes 3 point shots really do slide through the hoop right before the final buzzer.  
      "It's not over until it's over" is a familiar saying that has become a cliché in our society.  Clichés become clichés for a reason.  They are true.  And this one is true not only for sporting events.  It's very true to life.  I learned that lesson a long time ago.  But over the past few days and weeks, I've needed to remind myself ... frequently. 
     It's not over 'til it's over.  As long as we have opportunity, as long as God continues to give us time -- we can start again at the beginning or pick up where we left off .  If we've been distracted or thrown off course, we can always re-focus and get back on track.
    Sometimes as we struggle through the difficulties in our lives we become discouraged. We may feel we've gone just about as far as we can go.  We may be in the deepest valley we've ever walked through.  We might be frustrated because of the way things are going.  It is possible to get tired of always trying to do the right thing.  Let's face it, the world is not always kind.  And sometimes we become weary. 
       I believe one of the keys to living a successful Christian life is remembering this truth.  It is not over until it's over.  God is always in control.  God will always win.  God's word is so full of scriptures regarding this very subject.  And there are also many Biblical examples of people who came to understand this concept. 
      Let's consider just a few of the examples.  Several Biblical characters come to mind.  On the negative side, there was Nadab and Abihu.  Strange fire?  Sure, that'll be OK.  God won't care as long as it's fire, right?  Uh ... no.
     Jonah ... I'll just go on this little boat trip and God won't fool with me anymore.  Maybe He will forget He told me to go to Ninevah.  Mmmmm... seriously, Jonah? 
      What about Annanias and Sapphira? -- Hey, we'll sell our land and give the apostles part of the money; but we'll tell them they we gave them everything.  No one will ever
know, right?  Won't they think we're special?  We'll get as much praise as Barnabas and the others did.  Wrong!  Oh boy, were they ever wrong!
       I also can't help but think of Ahaz and Jezebel. Then there were the men who thought they had gotten Daniel into trouble -- or what about the folks who so long ago tried to be like God and built the tower of Babel?  Ever notice that God never fails to remind us (in one way or another) that He is always in control?  We are reminded in Galatians 6:9, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (ESV).   That is a pretty serious warning. 
      Yet on the positive side, there are other examples of "it's not over until it's over."  Elijah thought he was done.  He won a great victory for God over the prophets of Baal.  But Jezebel threatened his life and he ran away.  He went into a deep depression.  Yet God sustained him.  The Lord reminded Him he was not alone.  And he eventually brought him home to heaven in a whirlwind. 
        Gideon is another one who learned great things happen with God on your side.  What about Samson?  His last prayer was answered and he killed more Philistines in his death than he ever did while he lived.  Oh, and what about Caleb?  Talk about an enduring faith! 
        The story of Caleb is one of my favorite from the Old Testament.  He and Joshua were the only two of 12 spies who brought back a good report when they were sent to spy out the promised land.  The physical strength of those who occupied the land had frightened the other 10 men.  But Caleb knew with God all things were possible.  He knew God would help them, if the people would just trust Him and go forward. 
        Caleb and Joshua were both bitterly disappointed in the Israelites for their lack of faith.  But God promised them they would one day take the land they had spied out.  So Caleb waited.  He knew he would eventually be rewarded.  He knew it wasn't over.  So he waited.  For forty five years he waited and God kept him as strong as he was on the day that promise was made.  And Caleb got his mountain. 
       Then there is Paul, who knew full well it isn't over 'til it's over.  He was hurting the church by persecuting and killing Christians.  Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and ended Saul's work of terror to the believers.
In essence, Jesus tells Saul this isn't it.  It's not over.  I am going to use you for my work.  
       After Paul did as he was commanded, that is after Paul was baptized to wash away his sins ... he immediately began to preach Christ to the world.  After a long life of total devotion to Jesus and suffering as much torture as he had probably ever inflicted, Paul didn't give up. 
      In II Timothy 2:10-12 Paul reminds Timothy that "our Savior Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do." (ESV)  Paul knew his physical life was about to end.  However, even at the point of his impending death, he knew it wasn't over for him.  Listen to his great faith as he tells Timothy, "But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me." 
      He gives us another beautiful declaration of assurance in II Timothy 4:8, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing."   Paul's beautiful words give all Christian's today a wonderful courage and hope!   He never gave up.  He knew the best things still lay ahead.  They do for us as well, if we don't give up our faith.
       One more example and I'll stop (ha! well at least for now).  Think about Brother Peter.  I'm pretty sure he is thankful that it isn't over until it's over.  Peter had denied his Lord not once, but three times. 
       After the third denial Jesus turned and looked at Peter.  Whew!  We know how very sorrowful the apostle was because scripture tells us he went out and wept bitterly.   He could have given up then.  But Jesus had other things in mind for Peter.  After His resurrection, when the women came to the tomb, the angel told them to go tell the disciples "and Peter" that Christ had risen from the grave.  (Mark 16: 6-7). 
       Peter quickly found out his life serving the Master was not even close to being over.  Jesus had not given up on him, or any of the other apostles for that matter.  We know all of them except John forsook Him during His trial and crucifixion.  Our Redeemer forgave them and put them to work for Him the rest of their lives.  They did so joyfully - declaring the gospel wherever they went. 
     Peter tells his readers to build on their faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and finally with love.  Then he says if a Christian has these qualities and are increasing, they will keep us from being unfruitful in the "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (2 Peter 1:5-8)
      God has given us so many encouraging passages in His Word.  We are so blessed to have the Bible.  Let us end tonight with one of those beautiful promises.  Hopefully, it will help us to remember that no matter how weary we become or how discouraged we may get from time to time, our perfect, loving and righteous Heavenly Father is still in control and ... well, it's just not over until it's over.
       The Spirit guided Peter to encourage us to keep those characteristics he mentions ... beginning with faith and ending in love ...  2 Peter 1:10
  "Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
     And that will be when it's over.  And what a great finish we will have!

Christ above all things,
Robin
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