Nothing feels more painful than a losing streak for the teams that endure it or their fans. The suffering never seems to end. Here are just a few examples.

The Northwestern Wildcats’ 34-game losing streak is the longest in Division I football history. During the team’s winless 1981 season, they were outscored by an average of 40 points per game.

The documentary film Quantum Hoops follows a Division III men’s basketball program that lost an NCAA-record 207 games.

Perhaps the most famous losing streak in sports is the Chicago Cubs’ 105-year drought without a World Series Championship.

Revelation 8 – Awaiting Justice

How much longer? That’s the question every sports fan asks at the start of each season, waiting for change. The Old Testament asked the same question in Psalm 4:2. However, it had nothing to do with sports but everything to do with how long people would ruin God’s reputation and His love by pursuing what is worthless while seeking lies. “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek lies?” (Psalm 4:2). This same question recurs throughout the Book of Psalms. 

In Revelation 8, God finally answers His people’s prayers by revealing His holiness and judging the world. Once His people have been sealed for Him, judgment is no longer withheld. Verses 3-5 suggest this judgment comes in response to His people’s appeals for justice. The four trumpet blasts are followed by judgments—the land, the sea, the rivers, and the lights in the heavens. These events occur because God is judging sin, causing His people to fear God and hate sin. The primary purpose of God’s judgments in this book is to gain the world’s attention when it refuses to listen. When God finally redeems His broken creation, it will come at a high cost to make things right.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete understand that the question, “How much longer?” is answered in the book of Revelation with “a little longer,” which encourages them to keep praying.

Bible Memory Verse – “Then the seventh angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: How Much Longer

Our featured book this week is The Athlete’s Topical Bible (Scripture for Competition, Character, and Coaching) compiled by Gordon Thiessen. This book was designed for athletes, coaches, parents, and sports ministry leaders. This expanded edition also includes foundational studies on key Christian beliefs, practical coaching topics, and helpful tools for studying the Bible on your own.

Click HERE to review. 

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