IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER!

Dearly Beloved, IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER! “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant” (Job 14:7-9 NKJV). My intention was to write a message in honour of mothers to commemorate this year's Mother's Day as many parts of the world is celebrating it. However, the dramatic and unbelievable comebacks of the two English Premiership League football clubs – Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC – against their respective opponents (that is, FC Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam FC) in the semifinals of this year's UEFA Champions League made me to change the theme of my message for the week. Liverpool FC was beaten 3-0 in the first leg a week ago why Tottenham Hotspur FC was defeated 1-0 at home. Every pundit had written off the two English teams before the second leg of the matches. Nonetheless, against all odds, Liverpool FC upturned their defeat by beating FC Barcelona 4-0 while Tottenham Hotspur FC went to beat Ajax Amsterdam FC 3-2 in Amsterdam! Interestingly, the decisive goals for both matches were scored in the dying minutes of the matches that lacked some of the best players of both teams. It is indeed not over until it is over! The devil afflicted the man Job in the Bible with many woes (see Job 1:9-19). He was stricken with a fatal ailment, and his wife even suggested that he should curse God so that he could die (see Job 2:1-9). Considerably, one would have agreed with the wife of Job, written Job off, and wished that it is better that he died because of all these calamities. However, Job did not write himself off. He did not give up. He still believed in God and stood steadfast in his faith in Him, even when his friends wrongly accused him of wrongdoing. He believed that he could rise again. He uttered the above-quoted statements and many other hopeful ones. Consider these: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15 NKJV). “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25 NKJV). “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NKJV). “Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’” (Job 42:1-2). He did rise again, and “the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:12 NKJV). The story of Job is a story of a man who was cut down but sprouted again and bore many fruits. In fact, it is not over until it is over! What is your present situation? Is it a seemingly hopeless one? Do not lose hope. When there is life, there is hope! There is still hope for you. You can sprout again and be productive. People will rejoice with you. It is not over until it is over! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not give up, but keep on until you sprout again and be productive. NB I wish every responsible mother a Happy Mother’s Day! The Lord will turn any seemingly hopeless situation on your husbands and/or children to hopeful ones. You will testify to the goodness of God over such situation in Jesus’ name. Amen.