Look up: Last One Standing

Intro:
Mercy Me wrote a song called "Last One Standing". I want to tell you the story behind the song.

When a pitcher is called out to the mound in MLB he is allowed to choose a song to let everyone know he was coming to close the deal. Todd Jones, closing pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was searching for a song. He wanted to honor Christ but also make a statement.

Todd happened to be friends with the lead singer of the Christian band, Mercy Me, and wanted to use one of their songs. Clearly, "I Can Only Imagine" wasn't going to cut it.

Many of the pitchers choose songs like, "Hells Bells" by AC/DC but Todd was determined to honor Christ with his song selection. He asked the guys of Mercy Me to write a song for him that would honor Christ but also make a statement. "Last One Standing" was written for him to play as he left the bull pen to the mound.

Play the song in the DevoLink Worship Center below. As you do, picture 40,000 people and the opposing team hearing the words as Todd walks to the mound. Great story.

The believers on their way to Jerusalem where under pressure ... challenged to quit. People wanted them to fail. Would they finish what they started? Would they be the last ones standing?

Read:
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Think:
Five times we are told that God watches over His people. The believers looked for help from God and found that God was looking right back at them. I've done that before. Looking out the window at Panera Bread for a friend but actually looking past him. I am looking to the parking lot, he was looking right at me. It can be startling.

God is aware of you right now, right where you are. As you look out the window of your life you will find that He is looking out for you and looking at you. You will find that He is ready to help you stay standing. He is the "God who sees" you as Hagar found out (Gen. 16:13).

Does it comfort you to know God is looking at you? I imagine for some that that would be uncomfortable. That might be due to sin in our lives or a wrong concept of God.

Take a look at the God of Psalm 121. He:
1. Helps (v.1-2)
2. Never sleeps (v.3-4)
3. Protects (v.5-6)
4. Cares (v.7)
5. Guides (v.8)

How cool to know that God is at His post when we are sleeping. God is awake when we go through pain. God is awake when we laugh and enjoy the company of friends. God is awake when we sin. God is awake when we take a stand.

Where will your help come from when the pressure is on? Where will you find the strength to be the last one standing when all others want you to give in and quit? I know a God that cares and protects and guides. He will both strengthen and support you to stand.

Do:
Do you have the resolve of Todd Jones? Are you determined to be the last one standing?

If you are going to stand for Christ today you will experience pressure to quit. Where will your help come from? Will you look to the One that is watching over you?

Call out to Him now and ask Him to help you take a stand for Christ today. As you come out of the bull pen of your home and onto the mound of life you will find that people are looking at you. There is a team that wants you to take that stand and win. But there are many others that want you to fall and lose. It is easier for them if you do not take a stand. There remains One that watches over you and will protect you. He is the One that will enable you to be the last one standing.

As you get ready to leave the bull pen this day, crank up Last One Standing in the DevoLink Worship Center.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.