Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34

I lived in Chicago over 40 years ago and if the Chicago Bears win the upcoming Super Bowl, I will feel like a somewhat like a distant winner myself.

Now, be patient, this devotion is not about football; it’s about feeling like a winner. All of us like to feel like winners. We like to feel that we, or something we have done, have been appreciated and applauded. We all like to feel valued and special.

Like “winners” is how 2,700 future freshmen felt last week when they received an email from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The email began, “Congratulations again on your admission to the University.” Those students had a right to feel special since about 20,000 people apply each year, and the school only enrolls about 3,800 new freshmen. Now, they planned to select courses, make academic plans for the next four years, and dream of a real future past graduation.

All of those things should be happening, but they’re not. The email sent to the applicants was a mistake. Students requesting admission to the University won’t be informed of their status until March. When I read that story, I felt sorry for those students. Someone they should have been able to trust lied to them.

We all know how it feels when so-called reliable individuals lie to us, don’t we? The newspapers are filled with betrayal stories of conmen milking elderly nest eggs, clergy betraying their supporters’ trust, spouses betraying each other, and public servants promising one thing and delivering another.
Is there anyone we can trust?

There is. God. He keeps all His promises, all of the time. Think about that for a moment. With God, we WIN.

If you doubt me, read through scripture and one thing will be clear: God keeps His promises. He kept His promise to deliver His people from Egyptian slavery and lead them into the Promised Land. He kept His promise to send His Son to save this sinful world. and Jesus kept His promise to be crucified and rise on the third day. What I’m saying is this: “God can be trusted.”

Because God can be trusted, you can believe the invitation He extends to believers: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are forgiven and special; we are going to heaven. God has made a promise and extended an invitation that will not be recalled. Because of Jesus, we are special, and we are saved.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that in this world of lies that You can be trusted. Accept my thanks for a special Savior Who kept His promise of giving His life in exchange for mine. May my days be filled with praise, for by His sacrifice, I am forgiven. In His Name. Amen.

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 33-35    Matthew 20:17-34

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