Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s reevaluate losses from a time perspective.

Today’s scripture, Job 42:12-16 (NLT), says…
[12] So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. [13] He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. [14] He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. [15] In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers. [16] Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren.

Consider…
One of the pivotal moments in a game is halftime. Regardless of how much a team is losing by, halftime provides a moment of relief, reflection, renewal and remediation.

Today’s scripture makes me think Job’s halftime must have been amazing based on the description of his second half. Recall Job lost his…

• Possessions
• Children
• Health

… although Job’s losses were only a test, they were overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable. In fact the compounding loses caused him to say in Job 10:18-22 (NLT)…
[18] “‘Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother’s womb? Why didn’t you let me die at birth? [19] It would be as though I had never existed, going directly from the womb to the grave. [20] I have only a few days left, so leave me alone, that I may have a moment of comfort [21] before I leave—never to return— for the land of darkness and utter gloom. [22] It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of gloom and confusion, where even the light is dark as midnight.’”

Understandably Job wanted to give up after the first half. What makes this even tougher is Job didn’t know there would be a second half, in his mind the game was about to end.

I think most of us can identify with Job’s hopelessness at times in our lives. But let today’s scripture remind you that there’s a second half!

After your first half of discouragement I encourage you to listen to God’s halftime speech sung by Maurette Brown Clark…

I know the odds look stacked against you
And it seems there’s no way out
I know the issue seems unchangeable
And that there’s no reason to shout
But the impossible is God’s chance
To work a miracle, a miracle
So just know
It ain’t over until God says it’s over
It ain’t over until God says it’s done
It ain’t over until God says it’s over
Keep fighting until your victory is won

Since it’s halftime let’s revisit the four R’s identified earlier.

First, let’s find relief from Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT), which is…
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

This makes me hear the old hymn lyrics…

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Regardless of what happens in the first half, remember prayer can provide relief.

Next, halftime is a good time to pause and reflect on good things. Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT) tells us…
[8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Notice I am saying reflect on good things. Rather than obsessing on everything that has gone wrong, focus on the good things that God has done.

Recall, in our quest above for relief, Paul said…
Tell God what you need, and THANK HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE.

That makes me hear the wisdom of Pastor Marvin Sapp, when he sings…

I thank You for it all
The good, bad, the ugly, great and small
The times of victory, and when I fall
I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall
I thank You for my tears
The pain helped me overcome my fears
You’ve been good to me down throughout the years
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing here
All that I am is because of all that You brought me through
And everything I survived, it’s all because of You

Regardless of how much you’ve lost in the first half, take time to reflect on who God is and His unfailing love for you and thank Him for everything!

Let’s move forward to renewal, which requires a mindset transformation. Romans 12:2 (NLT) tells us…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

I hear Tonex singing…

Time after the time I failed you
Pierced your side when they already nailed you
Jesus heal my open wounds
I just want to be more like you
Father I let you down
What’s not like you just take it out
Reconcile me Jesus, I just want to please you
Wash me and make me whole
Lord make me over
Lord make me over
Lord make me over
Make me over again
Make me over again
Make me over again
Make me over again

Clearly things went wrong in the first half and we need to do things differently. The key is not trying to do things our way, but letting God show us His way.

This makes me think of Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) which says…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

When the first half makes you feel screwed, allow the Holy Spirit to make your mind, thoughts and attitudes renewed.

Lastly, let’s listen to the Lord for remedies to what’s gone wrong. The main one He wants us to know is trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) tells us to…
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

God has the perfect game plan and if we follow it we will win.

This makes me think of Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT) which exhorts…
[8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

It’s plain and simple, we find success following God’s game plan.

You see like Marvin Sapp also said…

You tried your way
It didn’t work, no
You put Him second
And put you first
You trusted friends
Thought they had your back
And every time you turn around
It seems you’re under attack
But turn to your neighbour and say
See the devil is a liar
No, I’m not gon’ die
It’s okay to cry
‘Cause He’s by your side
You gotta stop that hatin’
I know you don’t wanna hear it
Gotta fast and pray and listen to the Spirit
(God’s tryna tell me something)
He’s speaking to your heart right now
(God’s tryna tell me something)
Just listen to the Spirit, ohh
(God’s tryna tell me something)
Hold up, shh
Listen

The main remedy to comeback in the second half is heeding Proverbs 16:3 (NLT), which says…
[3] Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Today, as you look at the scoreboard in defeat, I encourage you to look forward to halftime where the Lord will give you…

• Relief through prayer
• Reflections of who He is and His nature
• Renewal of your thoughts and attitudes
• Remedies for success, which is mainly committing to the Lord’s game plan.

Enjoy halftime!

Today’s Song is…
New Season

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)