I’m writing this to everyone in the midst of a storm.
I’m writing this to everyone that can’t see victory through their tears.
I’m writing this to everyone who struggles to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m writing this for everyone who is tired, tired of the same fight they’ve been fighting.
I’m writing this for everyone who is exhausted from praying the same prayers.
I’m writing this for everyone who wants to give up, if they haven’t already.
I’m writing this for you and I’m writing this for me.
I’m writing, no, declaring victory before I’ve won the battle.
& here’s why:
This life if hard. We were warned in James 1:2 that we would inevitably face trials. We know from Ephesians 6:12 that this struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. Many of us are exhausted from this fight. Feeling weak, hopeless, lost and wandering, and defeated. We can choose to sit in this darkness or we can choose to step into the Light. Jesus has taken EVERYTHING to the grave: death, sickness, abuse, injustice, racism, oppression, depression, broken relationships, violence, addictions, and trauma. He not only took all that to the grave to defeat them, but he then rose three days later to defeat the grave itself!
Hosea 13:14 says “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave.“
1 Corinthians 15:57 MSG says “Death swallowed by triumphant life! … But now in a single victorious stroke of life, all three – sin, guilt, death- are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.”
A Bethel devotional says this truth so powerfully: “HIS VICTORY IS OUR INHERITANCE. WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY NOT FOR VICTORY. HE TOOK EVERYTHING TO THE GRAVE THEN DEFEATED IT. Jesus died and rose so that we can live in his victory, taking it as our own identity. In the middle of the storms, we can rest in the Prince of Peace, reminding the enemy that he has already been defeated. The victory belongs to Jesus and the victory is ours.”
It might be clear to you now that victory is indeed there, already won. But maybe you are struggling to accept that.
One of the glorious things about our Father is that we don’t have to work for anything. All we have to do is have the right posture. All we have to do is bow down, surrender, praise, cry out, and Heaven & the King of Kings will come to fight for us.
I find that that is the hard part, letting him fight for us.
We are a selfish breed and we think we can fix our own problems and fight our own battles. If you’re reading this, you’re probably tired from trying to carry all your burdens. If you’re like me, you probably think you’ve “surrendered”, but you’re still relying on your own strength, believing and fighting as if it’s all up to you. You might want victory so badly, but yet you still can’t figure out how to rest in his hands and in his victories.
If that’s you, let me tell you about 2 Chronicles 20:15-17.
The Lord told the people of Judah and Jerusalem as they were fearful of an army coming to attack, “For the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
Stand still! The Lord WANTS to fight for us. That is easier said than done sometimes (especially as prideful humans). Take baby steps toward him. He is ALWAYS chasing after us with goodness.
In verse 21, they go into battle singing and praising. And in verse 22, as they begin to sing, the Lord gave them the victory in their battle. Jehoshaphat and his men sang BEFORE the victory. Thank God BEFORE he moves. By worshipping you can welcome the Lord in to work. They created a place of entrance for the King of Glory to come into their situation (Psalm 24:7). I’ve found that to be true. Raising your voice and singing of his goodness really does allow for a Holy Exchange to occur. Slowly or suddenly, the Lord will mend your brokenness, show you the promised victory, and begin to lift your load and loosen your grip on things you’ve held so tightly onto.
You may be tired of feeling like you’re losing the battle.
But victory is already won, just keep pressing through the battle with faith and perseverance.
You may be wondering why.
But our God is a Redeemer, who turns all evil into good for His glory.
You may be wondering how to surrender.
But all you have to do is praise and worship to create a space where he is welcome to enter. He’ll change your heart and work in ways you couldn’t without his strength.
You may already feel defeated.
But victory is your inheritance and I’m writing to remind you (and me) of His promises.
He has been faithful this long and he won’t stop any time soon.
Let him fight for you.
It’s so much better his way.
