Unshakeable Confidence

If Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday evening is any indication of what is to come, it is safe to say that we are in for an exciting series.

For the fifth time this postseason, the Indiana Pacers rallied from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to snatch victory away from the opposition with a furious rally at the end of regulation.

Having systematically clawed their way back from a sizable deficit to bring the game within reach, the Pacers gained possession of the ball, trailing by one with 10 seconds remaining.

Indiana promptly got the ball into the hands of guard Tyrese Haliburton, who buried a jump shot with .3 seconds remaining to give the Pacers a dramatic 111-110 victory.

Haliburton's game-winner was his fourth winning or tying shot in the final five seconds of regulation this postseason.

Not surprisingly, analysts and fans around the league have taken notice of the Pacers' propensity for delivering furious late-game rallies, with many now referring to Indiana as "The Comeback Kids."

And while much of Indiana's ability to consistently battle back from tough positions can be attributed to the talent on the roster, it seems that even more credit should be given to the team's mindset and mental toughness when its back is against the wall.

Speaking on the team's remarkable ability to mount improbable comebacks, Haliburton said, "As a group, we never think the game is over, ever. Honestly speaking, ever."

If a team is going to demonstrate resilience and find a way to win when the pressure is on, it must start with having a belief that they will be able to find a way to win.

As followers of Jesus, we are all engaged in a constant battle against temptation and sin. During that fight, there will be times when it feels like our backs are against the wall, and there is little chance that we will be able to overcome the intense temptation that is enticing us to disobey God.

But in those moments, we must remember that, with God's help, we have everything we need to stand strong, resist temptation, and emerge victorious in the fight.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

In reality, we should have even more confidence than the Pacers when our backs are against the wall. When we face temptation, God has promised us that He has provided a way of escape to help us resist those sinful desires.

We all have undoubtedly gone through moments where the temptation to sin felt so strong that it seemed like it would be impossible for us to overcome. However, we must remind ourselves of the truth of God's Word, which says that God is both willing and able to help us find victory over temptation.

In Matthew 26:41 (NIV), Jesus told His disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NASB) reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need."

According to Scripture, we can have confidence in coming before God, knowing that He will give us mercy and grace to help us stand firm.

No matter how strong the temptation we face is, we must remember that victory is not out of reach. As we rely on God, seek Him in prayer, and walk according to the Spirit rather than our flesh, we will find that we can overcome situations that may have previously seemed impossible.

Today, let's have confidence in the fact that God will graciously supply us with everything that we need to find victory over the temptations we face as we trust and rely upon Him.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for supplying me with all that I need to obey You and overcome temptation. Please help me to have confidence in the fact that You will abundantly help me in my time of need, that I might glorify You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.