It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over

It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over:  

“Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.” (Micah 7:7-8). 

I heard a preacher share this story once: “In the world of baseball, there was a great player who coined a simple but meaningful phrase that is still quoted today. His name was Yogi Berra. And no matter how low the score was, or how badly his team seemed to be losing, Yogi refused to let his confidence sway. When everyone else was dismissing his team as losers and shaking their heads in disappointment, Yogi would simply reply, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Yogi wouldn't quit. He refused to be swayed by circumstances or opinion. And to this day, he is still remembered for it.”  

I think this story is a great illustration of the above Scripture in Micah 7:7-8, and God’s instructions for what we should do during the dark and challenging valleys in life. 

1.         LOOK TO THE LORD.

The prophet Isaiah said: “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). If you need strength, wait on the Lord – spend time with Him in prayer. Yes, life is hard, but you don’t have to fight your battles on your own – the battle is the Lord’s. 

2.         BELIEVE THAT YOUR GOD WILL HEAR YOU. 

In the world today, people have turned that phrase around to say, “WILL my God hear me?” But notice the Bible doesn’t say that. God’s Word simply and absolutely declares, “My God WILL hear me.” It’s time for us as Christians to pray with the conviction that God answers prayer. 

3.         DON’T LET THE DEVIL REJOICE OVER YOU.

The Bible says that we have an enemy – the devil – who loves to rejoice when we mess up. But don’t give him that opportunity. When you fall – whether it’s a fall into sin, or just a fall because you are weary or discouraged – say, “Don’t rejoice yet, devil,” and then use the words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over.” Trouble will come in your life, but it doesn’t have to overcome you. 

4.         WHEN YOU FALL – ARISE.

Here’s a news flash for you: You’re going to fall. You’re going to sin, and miss the mark – God’s standard of perfection. But your fall doesn’t have to be fatal. Get back up. ARISE.  Remember, it ain’t over, ‘til it’s over. But where do we find courage to keep going? 

5.         THE LORD IS YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR SALVATION.

Maybe you’re sitting in darkness today. You may be sitting in the darkness of sin, the darkness of loneliness, worry, fear or depression.  But the Word of God declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger – so why should I tremble?” (Psalm 27:1). When we sit in darkness, God comes along with his cosmic search light and reaches out and says, “Are you stuck in there? Do you want a helping hand?” 

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” (Psalm 40:2). Remember – it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Call upon the name of the Lord – He is mighty to save.

Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca