Rivers Wasn't Scared

Thank you so much for being a devotional reader, and I greatly appreciate your financial support of our ministry. It’s an honor to share what God puts on my heart and send you these devotionals all year long.

Beginning on Wednesday, we will share some of our favorites from the year during our “Best Of” series during the holiday season. We hope you will reread them and allow God to encourage you in a fresh new way.

Now for today’s new devotional…

After 1,800 days, 44-year-old Philip Rivers returned to play an NFL game as the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. He practiced for only three days before facing the Seattle Seahawks, in one of the NFL's toughest stadiums for visiting teams, against one of the league's best defenses.

It’s an unbelievable story that Rivers would come out of retirement at this point in the season to try and help the Colts keep their playoff hopes alive. The storybook ending came so close on Sunday as Rivers and the Colts had the lead with 47 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, the Seahawks responded with a field goal to win 18-16. 

I think it would have been awesome to see the Colts win, but the fact that Rivers even came back at all after being retired for 5 years and giving the Colts a chance to knock off the Seahawks in Seattle is still a tremendous story. 

Again, he didn’t help them win or even have an impressive stat line (18 of 27 for 120 yards and one touchdown), but what he did do, by showing up and putting himself out there considering the circumstances, was inspiring. 

During his postgame press conference, he shared, "Maybe it will inspire or teach not to run or be scared of what may or may not happen. Like, shoot, sometimes there is doubt, and it's real, and again, the guaranteed safe bet is to go home or to not go for it, and the other one is shoot, we'll see what happens. And so yeah, I hope in that sense it can be a positive to some young boys or young people, doesn't have to be boys. But again, that's not the motivation. But whatever God's will, I'm happy with."

Yes, he could have stayed home, remained comfortable, and avoided the hits, but he went for it instead. Rather than being scared and fearful, he said yes to the Colts and went out there on Sunday, making the most of the situation and giving what he could. People laughed at him because of his age, and we know he had his own doubts and hesitations, but he didn’t let that stop him.

I find him and his comments inspiring, not only for young people but for all of us. No matter how old we are, we face fear, and there are things we are scared to do. We so often choose to remain comfortable rather than put ourselves out there and embrace the challenge. 

We might say no to opportunities or choose not to "go for it" because of fear of failure, the unknown, embarrassment, rejection, inadequacy, or judgment. For each of us, there may be something specific that causes us to “be scared of what may or may not happen” as we allow doubts to hold us back from taking steps of faith.

As we find ourselves in the middle of the Christmas season, I can’t help but be reminded of the fear that several key Biblical characters had to overcome in Jesus’ birth story and how they were told not to be afraid.

Imagine how Mary felt when the angel greeted her. In Luke 1:29-31, it says that “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus.’”

After initial questions and concerns and hearing about who Jesus would be, Mary responds to the angel in verse 38 by declaring, “'I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.'”

When Joseph found out she was pregnant, he initially was going to divorce her quietly. However, Matthew 1:20-21 tells us, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.'”

Joseph overcame his fear, and verse 24 explains, "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife."

Lastly, Scripture tells us about the shepherds living out in the fields nearby where Jesus was born.

In Luke 2:9-11 (NIV), it says, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.'“

The shepherds overcame their fear because in verses 15-16 we read, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

This Christmas season, as we consider how Jesus came to earth to rescue us from sin and death as He ultimately went to the cross and rose again, let’s be reminded as followers of Jesus not to be scared to do God’s will because He empowers us with His strength and peace, as we trust Him to step out in faith. Regardless of the outcomes, we trust in His plan and will.

Like each of the people we read about today, let’s not be scared or afraid, but rather overcome our fears as we trust God, no matter how challenging the step of obedience may be. We can say…

“I am the Lord’s servant.”

“Let’s go.”

“Whatever God's will, I'm happy with.”

Merry Christmas! I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please strengthen me to overcome my fears and take the next step of faith You’re calling me to take. I pray that I wouldn’t live in fear, but rather with peace and confidence, as I trust in You. Help me to know when You are telling me to go for it and empower me to overcome my doubts and trust You with the results. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.