If you’re a sports fan, no doubt you’ve experienced the euphoria of seeing your favorite team come back and win when it looked impossible. Even if you’re not a sports enthusiast, perhaps you’ve known someone who faced great personal challenges and succeeded against unbelievable odds.
The Bible also includes some amazing comeback stories. For example:
King David committed adultery and arranged to have the woman’s husband killed in battle to cover his sin. Later, David repented and wrote many psalms that touch our lives, including Psalm 51, where he says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” The Bible even calls him a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).
Before Jesus’ crucifixion, His disciple Peter vowed to stand with Him. Instead, Peter cowered in fear and publicly denied Jesus three times. After Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter to faith and a relationship with Him. Then God used Peter to heal people and boldly preach to the crowd who had killed Jesus. When Peter preached his first sermon (Acts 2:14–41), three thousand people came to know Jesus.
Of course, Jesus is the biggest comeback of all. He died a cruel death on a cross and was buried. Yet three days later, He arose triumphant from the tomb, providing forgiveness and salvation for all who repent and follow Him (see Acts 16:31).
Who would have thought such transformations could happen? In these situations, individuals experienced disappointing failures and losses. But after calling on the Lord and waiting on Him, God stepped in and restored them according to their needs and His plan.
Are you facing difficulties in your life? I am. God doesn’t guarantee a comeback on earth. But as followers of Jesus, we have the bright hope of a certain comeback: Jesus will come back to earth and reign with power, authority, and justice. Whether He returns in our lifetime or calls us home, we have the hope of a secure, eternal future with Him.
And that’s the ultimate comeback.
“And so we will be with the Lord forever” (I Thessalonians 4:17 NIV).
About Lydia Harris
Lydia E. Harris is happily married to Milt, her sweetheart for 48 years. She has two married children, five grandkids, and is the author of a Bible study, "Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting" (AMG Publishers, 2010 release). She's also a tea enthusiast and writes the column "A Cup of Tea with Lydia."
