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Ball Games

A friend of mine once told me this homespun proverb. “Today’s ball games are not won on yesterday’s home runs.” Consider the truth of this statement in the life of the prophet Elijah.

Elijah had experienced the equivalent of three grand slams in one day. Following a dramatic contest with the prophets of the false god, Baal, there was enormous success and blessing for Elijah:

1. Through his leadership, in one afternoon, the whole nation of Israel was brought to repentance and a restored relationship with the true God.
2. On the same day, through his leadership, 450 prophets of Baal were executed.


3. On that day, God sent abundant, healing rain after three and one half years of total drought.

1 Kings 18, 19:
“After many days the word of the Lord came to Eli’jah, in the third year, saying, ‘Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth . . . ’” (continue reading)

The very next day, however, brought Elijah from the heights of joy to the depths of depression. Jezebel, wicked queen of Israel and patron of all Baal worship, had decreed death to Elijah within 24 hours. Fleeing for his life, Elijah collapsed emotionally and went into hiding. Elijah despaired. His home runs of yesterday seemed totally insignificant the next day. He became so terrified and hopeless that he asked God to take his life. What a difference a day can make! However, even though Elijah’s circumstances (and with it, his attitude) had changed, God had not. He still loved His servant, Elijah. God had all power to help him.

Because Elijah was unable to lift himself out of his deep emotional pit, God sent an angel instructing him to eat a supernatural food and drink. It alone would strengthen and sustain Elijah for the journey ahead. When he was finished eating and drinking, God told him to eat more. Elijah’s future success and his emotional well being were resting in God’s help.

What about you? Just as Elijah experienced, God gives us rich blessings and significant successes as we run the race of life. However, the home runs of success are frequently followed by disappointments, loss and every kind of attack from the evil one who is eager to bring our joy in the Lord to an abrupt end. New strength, new joy and new home runs for a new day are not to be had just by thinking about yesterday’s home runs. The supernatural nourishment found in God’s Word and in Christ’s body and blood refresh and restore us so that we can go to bat with the challenges we face today.

The pleasure of celebrating yesterday’s home runs will never be a substitute for the ones our God will help us hit today. Today’s ball games are won with the strength God supplies today.

Heavenly Father, You helped me yesterday in everything. Give me strength and joy in all my work today. Amen.