Lose To Win - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) January 5, 2021

How many of us lost in 2020? Was it a loved one? A job? Some other opportunity? A relationship? What did you lose last year?

Losing sucks, but a fresh perspective can sometimes help to give us understanding that will help in the future.

Think about Lazarus (John 11). When he fell ill, Jesus knew. Yet, He didn't hustle to go heal his friend. Instead, he continued serving the Lord right where He was. And by the time He made the journey to Bethany where Lazarus and his sisters lived, Lazarus had been dead a few days.

If you are familiar with this story, then you know Jesus showed up to find Lazarus's sisters and others in mourning. He even wept with them. Nevertheless, the Lord worked a miracle - resurrecting His friend. And all those who witnessed and even those who came to hear of this great work came to believe in God through Jesus.

Remember the story of Dorcas? Or Tabitha as some of her friends called her? She lived an exemplary life as a disciple in Joppa. There she helped widows, making clothes for them and meeting their other needs.

So when she fell sick and died, many were deeply saddened. Someone knew Apostle Peter was nearby and sent for him. When he arrived the widows and all who'd been helped by Dorcas insisted that he do something about their dead friend. Mind you, she'd been washed and dressed for burial.

Peter went into the room Dorcas's body was in, got on his knees, and prayed. Acts 9:40 - Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. And after this miracle, many came to believe in the Lord.

These Biblical tales are a vivid reminder that sometimes we have to lose to ultimately win. Both Lazarus and Dorcas didn't have to die per se. They were both good people. Yet, through their lives and their deaths and their resurrections, God was glorified.

Have you considered that your losses in 2020 - particularly the most painful ones - will prove to be the very things you will speak of in testimony about God's great grace upon your life? Is it possible the loss you experienced will bring about a mighty win that when others hear about it, they will say - this could only be God?

Let us thank God for our losses and remember that He has plans for us - plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). When you keep that in mind you know everything will work out.

Never forget what King David said during a trying period in Psalm 34:1 - I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

God also tells us in Psalm 50:23 - Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.

So, let us thank Him for the wins as well as the losses. And let us do so with fresh perspective that sometimes we have to lose to win. But with God, we will have the last laugh and it will be with hands extended to the sky as we praise Him for what He's done.

Welcome to 2021 - a year of fresh perspective. A year of God's light and understanding. A year of change for the better by His grace, Amen.