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God Believes in You!, by Randall D. Kittle

In the classic book, The Count of Monte Cristo, the main character, Edmond Dantes, declares to his friend the priest, “I don’t believe in God.” The priest replies, “It doesn't matter, He believes in you!”

While it matters very much what we believe about God, I also believe the Lord wants you and I as believers to know that this quote isn’t just a gripping line from some book; it is a profound truth of the kingdom of God. God wants to speak to your heart and declare over your life, “I believe in YOU!”

Don’t be Hindered by Your History
Often, our greatest difficulty in realizing that God believes in us is that we, all too well, know our past — our fears, falls, and failures. Even when we try to move on, others seem more than willing to remind us. But we need to remember that while man sees you through your history, God sees you through your destiny! We see this truth over and again in Scripture.

God chose Moses to lead His people and set them free from cruel oppression in Egypt when he was a wanted man who had fled for his life. God called Gideon a “mighty man of valor” when he was hiding in a winepress. But that is what he became with God’s help. God called Matthew to be his disciple and He stayed at Zacchaeus’ house even though they were tax-collectors and considered to be sinful traitors by the people. And these are just a few examples from the Bible.

Second Chances
Allow me to share a story that reflects how much God believes in you. On New Year’s Day in 1929, the Rose Bowl game pitted the nation’s top team, Georgia Tech, against the University of California. Late in the first half, there was a jarring tackle at midfield that forced a fumble. It was picked up just 30 yards from the end-zone by one of California’s best defenders, Roy Riegels. Bouncing off a tackler Roy lost his bearings and began sprinting as fast as he could towards the goal line — the wrong goal line! Just before he crossed the goal line, one of his own teammates tackled him. On the next play, Georgia Tech scored a safety to pull ahead 2-0. Feeling dejected and humiliated Roy Riegels left the field and went into the locker room. There, he hid behind the lockers.

When the team came in at halftime, it wasn’t long until Coach Price started calling out the names of the starting lineup. When he got to center, he called out Roy Riegels’ name. Roy came out from behind the lockers stuttering, “I-I-I c-c-can’t do it, coach. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.” Coach Price responded by saying “Roy, you’re a very important part of this football team. We need you. The team needs you. Get up and go back out there — the game is only half over. Go out there and give it the very best you can.”

When Roy realized that Coach Price still believed in him, he decided to go out and give it the very best he had. Riegels did play, and he played the most inspiring football of his entire career, turning in a stellar second-half performance that included blocking a Georgia Tech punt.

God Believes in You
I don’t know how often you may have “fumbled the ball” or “headed in the wrong direction” in your life, but just as that coach still believed in Roy Riegels, God still believes in you! Listen to what God says about you in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God knows all about your past and He still loves you. He is the God of the second chances! He isn’t going to put you on the bench or give up on you. Remember, He has promised to be with you always, even unto the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20). God is always more concerned about the direction you are going to take in the future than what you’ve done in the past. He desires you to be zealous and enthusiastic about going forward in your Christian walk.

God loves you and has a hope-filled future He is longing for you to come in to. So, choose this day to leave the past behind. I am confident God will use you in the days ahead to bring Him glory and advance His kingdom. After all, “God believes in you!”