“Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport… the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat… the human drama of athletic competition… This is ABC’s Wide World of Sports!” Those were the words spoken by Jim McKay, who introduced TV coverage of sports, from tennis at Wimbledon to the Indy 500, at the beginning of the 1960s.

The melodramatic introduction became a national catchphrase that can still be heard years later. The symbols used with it are a reminder of how circumstances can thrill you one moment, only to turn into the “agony of defeat” shown by a skier who has a terrible crash.

Romans 5 – Grace-Fueled Joy

How do athletes prevent themselves from being crushed by adverse circumstances in sports and life? Paul provided the answer in Romans 5. Most coaches and athletes depend on their own power or ability to rise above their setbacks. Still, for believers, Paul recommends trusting in God’s goodness and His love. It’s the peace of God that allows anyone experiencing the “agony of defeat” to rejoice.

Paul taught that God is for us! His grace reached us while we were hostile to Him (5:6-8). Since we have been justified, saved from His wrath, and reconciled, we can rejoice in any circumstances that cause despair (5:9-11).

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete choose to focus on Jesus rather than themselves or their circumstances. As they concentrate on serving God, they no longer wallow in self-pity.

Bible Memory Verse – “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Living Free.

Our featured books this week – Nehemiah (Athlete’s Edition or Coach’s Edition) by Joshua Thiessen

Click HERE to review the Athlete’s Edition or HERE to review the Coach’s Edition

To see our full catalog of over 200 Bible Study Guides and Devotions, click HERE