Your Refreshing Daily Devotional

I watched AFCON finals between Morocco the host country and Senegal on Sunday, January 18, 2026. A Moroccan player sustained injury on his head early in the game and had to be draped around. He carried that draping with manifest stain of blood throughout the game. Talk about the price of success! I also read about a film, ‘Elvis’ that grossed about $216,668,042 in the US and $910,809,311 worldwide within a short time of its release. Austin Butler who played the lead role said, “I had months where I wouldn’t talk to anybody. And when I did, the only thing I was ever thinking about was Elvis.” Also as part of the price he paid, he did not see his family for three years while preparing for the film.

Victory comes at a great cost, involving rigorous exercises and readiness to delay gratification of other desires…When God’s rewards both in time and eternity begins to roll in, they will far outstrip our sacrifices.

In every field of endeavor, people pay enormous prices to emerge champions. Becoming a champion in any field is not a walk in the park. Professional sportsmen and women will readily admit that becoming a champion in any field is not a tea party. Victory comes at a great cost, involving rigorous exercises and readiness to delay gratification of other desires. In our text, Paul refers to the enormous sacrifices and discipline that sportsmen undergo just to take a shot at gold. He stated that the crown they receive at the end of such tortuous journeys would eventually perish. Compare that to believers’ reward – incorruptible crowns. We are not just chasing a crown that cannot perish, we are gunning for glory! When God’s rewards both in time and eternity begins to roll in, they will far outstrip our sacrifices.

Mo Farah’s victory in Rio was not novel. He had won gold in 10,000 meters for his adoptive country, Great Britain, in the London games four years earlier. What was new was that his victory this time came in some dramatic fashion. Midway through the race, he fell to the track, accidentally tripped by his friend and training partner Galen Rupp. The accident occurred while running the 10th lap. He immediately sprang back on track to win the gold medal at 27 minutes and 5.17 seconds. In life, victory is sweeter when it comes despite numerous odds that line the route. I am certain that that gold medal from Rio will be more precious to Farah than that of 2012. When we referred to his triumph yesterday, we traced it to his self-belief and ability to encourage himself. Something else can be added to that. His ability to bring his emotion under control played a huge role in his victory. Imagine if he had been angry at the man that made him trip. He would have dissipated the energy needed for recovery on venting his frustration.

Therefore, a setback should not destroy the dreams and aspirations of those who trust in God. Whether in terms of following the Lord or our life’s ambitions, we can rise to win after a fall.

From our text, there are ample chances for a righteous man to win, even if he stumbles seven times. There is an allowance of seven times. I doubt if that is literal. It is a way of saying that God will keep bringing opportunities to people who would not give up. Therefore, a setback should not destroy the dreams and aspirations of those who trust in God. Whether in terms of following the Lord or our life’s ambitions, we can rise to win after a fall.

In our previous meditation, we emphasized the mutual duty that believers have towards each other. They must be their brothers’ keeper and encourage them to continue. Having said that, each believer must also know how to stir up himself or herself. David experienced a time when no one was on hand to encourage him, but he encouraged himself in the Lord. Let’s learn this from the story of another legendary figure. Mo Farrah won the 10,000 meters race for Britain in Rio despite falling to the track in the course of the race. How did he manage to pull through? Here are his words in a post-race interview: “When I fell down, I was just thinking, ‘Try to get up, try to get up. Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic’. And then I got up, and I tried to just get through it.” Call this personal encouragement. That gave rise to a right attitude that won the race.

Attitude and confident outlook will remain relevant in our quest for victory. However, there may be situations where our attitude and confidence are proving to be inadequate for the victory we desire. That is when a child of God should remember the source of his or her strength.

Next to that was self-belief. Another word for that is confidence. If he had cast his confidence away, the race would have been over for him. Attitude and confident outlook will remain relevant in our quest for victory. You are yet to see a champion whose self-confidence has been severely dented. Most times, external realities are only a reflection of the inner disposition. However, there may be situations where our attitude and confidence are proving to be inadequate for the victory we desire. That is when a child of God should remember the source of his or her strength. We have an inexhaustible reservoir of strength, Jesus Christ.

The next Winter Olympics to be hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is slated for later this year. Every Olympic unveils new talents and leave unforgettable lessons behind. I remember the one hosted by Rio in 2016. Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand and Abbey D’Agostino of the USA both made it to the final of the 5,000-meter run. Their advancement was not due to meeting the qualifying time; they both finished last. Their inclusion in the final was because they were tripped. It was the New Zealander that fell first; then the American tripped over her and fell to the ground as well. Rather than get mad for being the architect of her fall, the American encouraged her counterpart to get on with the race. Here is Hamblin’s account of that unforgettable moment: “That girl is the Olympic spirit right there. I’ve never met her before. Like I never met this girl before. And isn’t that just so amazing? Such an amazing woman. Suddenly, there was this hand on my shoulder, like ‘Get up. We have to finish this’ and I was like ‘Yup, yup, you’re right’. This is the Olympics Games. We have to finish this.” In most ventures in life, finishing could be more important than the ranking.

Believers ought to have the pilgrim spirit. We manifest the pilgrim spirit when we help a faltering brother or sister…The pilgrim spirit is about cooperation, not competitiveness.

Believers ought to have the pilgrim spirit. We manifest the pilgrim spirit when we help a faltering brother or sister. When you pray for someone who is having a hard time with finance or family life, you demonstrate the pilgrim spirit. The pilgrim spirit is about cooperation, not competitiveness. It believes that no one can make it all alone; it is through bonding in charity that we can finish strong. Demonstrating the pilgrim spirit can be as simple as giving words of encouragement to someone. I believe this is what the writer of Hebrews is admonishing us to do. Be a merchant of hope to fellow believers; let them know that they can make it to the finish line by the grace of God.