Finishing second stinks, especially when are so close you can taste victory, only to have it slip out of your hands. Losing can be just as painful if you are a finalist for an open position only to receive a dear John letter or worse yet, the silence of not receiving a courtesy call. Professional athletes who fail to win a title often say there is only one champion, everyone else are losers. Unfortunately, history fails to remember those who almost succeeded or nearly won, unless you enjoy seeing runner up banners.
Like game shows that give out consolation prizes for contestants failing to win anything, God devotes a portion of scripture to such a scenario. According to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the apostle Paul recognized that only one runner in each event of the Corinthian Games, a pre – Olympic competition, went home with a crown, first century trophy. God wants each participant in life to treat each day like a new race, giving each one their best. Therefore, whether you win or lose, you can sleep good at night knowing your actions glorified God on that day.
The Psalmist also comments on consolation prizes. Psalm 94:18-19 refers to someone who has had a rough day, slipping and about to fall. Held up by love, God provides consolation to this individual in the form of joy within their soul. Thus, if you are having a bad day like me, may be you can find solace in this passage, claiming it for yourself as a personal prayer! Keep your head up, shake off defeat and get back up for round 2, with the God who avenges wrong on your side, Psalm 94:1.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 