1O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. 5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! – Psalm 3

During my athletic career, it wasn’t the other team that beat me, but more often, it was the doubts, insecurities, and lies within me that I listened too. Rather than playing the game in freedom and confidence, I lost before I even stepped foot on the field. I have a feeling you know what I am talking about, and by the sound of the passage above, so does King David.

The reality you face today and throughout the rest of your life, is that the opponent, the real enemy, is not the other team. The real enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is the one whispering lies that lead you to play in shackles and tempting you to respond in disrespect, contempt, and pride. King David knew those shackles and temptations all too well and so he learned to cry out to the Lord for help. The Lord will not assist you in defeating the other team, for He loves them just as much as you; but, He will help you overcome the real enemy.

In light of the Gospel, those whispered lies were nailed to the cross and defeated as Jesus walked out of the grave. One day we will stand completely free, never hearing the lies again as they are consumed by the loving voice of Jesus. However, in the meantime, Jesus left us His Spirit and the scriptures to seek refuge in. As you head into your game, cry out to God for His help, lean into His ever-loving arms, and allow what He says about you to be louder than the lies of the enemy.

  • Cry out to God for help and confess the lies you are believing.
  • Pray through the passage above.
  • Ask God to help you trust in His love and faithfulness.

Pre-Game Playlist: