After a fascinating seven-game World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros (with every game won by the away team), the Nationals have become the new champions.
Last night, they won after being down 2-0 through six innings and finished with six unanswered runs to win 6-2.
With their mantra on the road to the World Series being “Finish the Fight,” they can now proudly say, “We Finished the Fight.” United as a team, they have fought hard and shown determination to persevere and overcome.
This was an upset win and nobody could have predicted the outcome back in the spring. The Twitter account @MLBstats shared this: “The @Nationals had LESS than a 0.1% chance to win the #WorldSeries on May 28th.”
The Twitter account @espnstatsinfo gave us this historical nugget: “The Nationals are the 2nd team in MLB history to win the World Series after being at least 12 games below .500 during the regular season (1914 Braves).”
Their wild journey included being down 3-2 in this series and having to win two games on the road to win it all, which they did. Overall in the playoffs, they won five potential elimination games and became the first team in MLB history to win three winner-take-all games in a single postseason.
We can go on and on about the tests they faced and the “fights” they won along the way, but I think the Nationals Twitter account summed it up best:
“We never stopped believing.
We never stopped dancing.
We STAYED IN THE FIGHT.
We FINISHED THE FIGHT.
And now, we’re forever WORLD. SERIES. CHAMPIONS.”
I know that many of us today need to hear the words “Finish the Fight” because we’re on a journey facing tests and obstacles, as well as, our own “potential elimination games.”
The truth is, every day we’re fighting something. We’re fighting against our own pride and selfishness...against lies from the enemy...and the temptation to give up.
Thankfully, we can take to heart the encouragement Paul gives Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12 (AMP): "Fight the good fight of the faith ; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Sometimes we don't feel like fighting or persevering because life is so hard and so much is being thrown at us. However, it’s in these moments we must recognize who we’re really fighting against and make sure we find our strength and power in God to “Finish the Fight."
Ephesians 6:12 (AMP) says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood , but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.”
We can’t fight the enemy alone and every day we need to “fight the good fight of faith” or “finish the fight” as we faithfully follow Jesus. We must continue to be resilient, so at the end of our lives we can declare what Paul did when he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT):
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.”
Today, let’s keep going by seeking Jesus, so that one day we can say “I finished the fight.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know in this world it’s a constant fight and battle, but that I’m in Jesus and already victorious. I pray that I’d remain faithful to You throughout my life and You’d give me the strength and power I need to fight the good fight. I can’t do it alone. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What fight do you find yourself in today?
What areas in your life has God given you the strength to remain faithful and fight through?
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