If you happened to watch the Kentucky/Michigan game Sunday you witnessed what is being touted as the best finish of this year’s NCAA Tournament. With 2.3 seconds left in the game, Aaron Harrison made a 3-pointer from about twenty-four feet giving the #8 seed Kentucky Wildcats a 75-72 win over the #2 seed Michigan Wolverines and a trip to the Final Four.
Come-from-behind wins make for exciting finishes. Such is the story of Joseph. As the favorite son of Jacob, Joseph was labeled as the #1 seed among his brothers. He was picked most likely to succeed in his High School yearbook.
Then tragedy struck as the long winning streak seemed to give way to an extended losing streak. First, Joseph was cast into a pit. Then he was sold into slavery and carted off to Egypt. Next, he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. Finally, he was forgotten by the one guy who could help him.
And so it was that Joseph sat in an Egyptian prison as several of his most prime years passed by. But Joseph was determined to stay in the game. Though hard-pressed on every side, he was not crushed. Though perplexed, he was not in despair. Though persecuted, he was not forsaken. Though struck down, he was not destroyed.
There would be no story had Joseph not remained faithful. But he did! What comes next is one of the all-time great finishes. In a day, Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace. He went from being a slave to the second highest ruler in the land – a position he would fill for the rest of his life.
That’s not all. Genesis 48:22 tells us that Joseph was given a double-portion of land in Canaan. Look at a Bible map of the twelve tribes of Israel. You will not find a land area marked “Joseph” because there was no tribe in Israel called by that name. But you will find two tribes named for the sons of Joseph, “Ephraim” and “Manasseh.” The son thought to be lost ended up with twice the inheritance!
No matter how lopsided the score may be or how many times you’ve been knocked down, stay in the game. Don’t quit. The eternal prize is not given to those who finish first; it’s given to those who finish. Stay faithful and finish strong.
Here’s to great finishes!
Pastor Todd
PS – Congratulations to all you Kentucky fans:)! Condolences to all my Michigan friends:(!
Come-from-behind wins make for exciting finishes. Such is the story of Joseph. As the favorite son of Jacob, Joseph was labeled as the #1 seed among his brothers. He was picked most likely to succeed in his High School yearbook.
Then tragedy struck as the long winning streak seemed to give way to an extended losing streak. First, Joseph was cast into a pit. Then he was sold into slavery and carted off to Egypt. Next, he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. Finally, he was forgotten by the one guy who could help him.
And so it was that Joseph sat in an Egyptian prison as several of his most prime years passed by. But Joseph was determined to stay in the game. Though hard-pressed on every side, he was not crushed. Though perplexed, he was not in despair. Though persecuted, he was not forsaken. Though struck down, he was not destroyed.
There would be no story had Joseph not remained faithful. But he did! What comes next is one of the all-time great finishes. In a day, Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace. He went from being a slave to the second highest ruler in the land – a position he would fill for the rest of his life.
That’s not all. Genesis 48:22 tells us that Joseph was given a double-portion of land in Canaan. Look at a Bible map of the twelve tribes of Israel. You will not find a land area marked “Joseph” because there was no tribe in Israel called by that name. But you will find two tribes named for the sons of Joseph, “Ephraim” and “Manasseh.” The son thought to be lost ended up with twice the inheritance!
No matter how lopsided the score may be or how many times you’ve been knocked down, stay in the game. Don’t quit. The eternal prize is not given to those who finish first; it’s given to those who finish. Stay faithful and finish strong.
Here’s to great finishes!
Pastor Todd
PS – Congratulations to all you Kentucky fans:)! Condolences to all my Michigan friends:(!
