by David Brenneman
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14
God wins His greatest victories through apparent defeats. Very often the enemy seems to triumph for a season, and God allows it. But then He comes in and upsets the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, "frustrates the ways of the wicked" (Ps. 146:9). Consequently, He gives us much greater victory than we would have known had He not allowed the enemy seemingly to triumph in the first place.
The story of the three Hebrew young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace is a familiar one. There was an apparent victory for the enemy. It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to suffer a terrible defeat. We have all been in situations where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced. We can only imagine what a complete defeat this appeared to be for Daniel's friends. They were thrown into the terrible flames while their enemies watched to see them burn. Yet the enemy was greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire, enjoying themselves. Then King Nebuchadnezzar told them to come out of the fire. The enemy 'crowded around them. They Saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them for no other god can save in this way" (Dan. 3:27, 29).
This apparent defeat resulted in a miraculous victory.
Suppose these three men had lost their faith and courage and had complained, saying "Why didn't God keep us out of the furnace!" They would have been burned, and God would not have been glorified. If there is a great trial in your life today, do not acknowledge it as a defeat, instead, continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you "more than conquerors" (Rom. 8;37), and a glorious victory will soon be apparent. May we learn that in all the difficult places God takes us, He is giving us opportunities to exercise our faith in Him that will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name.
Defeat may serve as well as victory To shake the soul and let the glory out. When the great oak is straining in the wind, The limbs drink in new beauty, and the trunk Sends down a deeper root on the windward side. Only the soul that knows the mighty grief can know the mighty rapture. Sorrows come To stretch out spaces in the heart for joy.
-Streams in the Desert
Many people, throughout the Bible, had no clue as to the reasons why their lives were going down the path that they were going.
Some wrote about it, such as King David, in Psalms 23.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.
Some only could look back over their lives and see the fingerprints of God. Some might have found out when Jesus first descended to the lower parts after the crucifixion. Some learned after they went with Him to Heaven afterwards.
Even today we're not promised an answer to the countless 'why's' that we have before us. It's simply on us to trust and obey. To not lean on our own understanding. We cannot see what Jesus already knows.
We cannot help but be pleasantly surprised in those moments when we are granted a measure of understanding.
As one who appears to be hard wired by God to troubleshoot things that are broken or require a solution...He doesn't always provide me with what I seek as an answer. I have been rightly accused of getting 'wrapped around the axle' when trying to resolve an issue. Learning to let go has been a lifelong thing. This season of my life has had much in it to restructure what I am doing and why I am doing it. Learning to be disciplined in my Bible Studies. Am being lead to add more to my disciplines too. Not just the reading and understanding of the Word.
Sorrows and grief are part of growing in Christ. Just as much, if not more so than the joyful times.
If we accept what the Scriptures say of Jesus that He was a man of sorrows well acquainted with grief...can we not expect to share in the same?
Growing us in Christ is the Spirit’s number one priority after the universal plan of God for mankind as a whole. It's not for the Spirit to only bring comfort to everyone nor is it for Him to bring or allow tribulations either. But rather a mix of both that brings about the righteous life that God desires for us.
When it says in the Scriptures that in everything give thanks...that has to include everything. It's the same as what's been said of the definition of all. All means all and that's all that all means. Everything means everything and that's what everything means. Giving thanks not only for the good times but the apparent bad times. For the successes and the apparent failures. For getting what we want out of life and when we don't.
For when we understand and when we don't.
When we read through the New Testament we see what's been spoken of here today. The Spirit is going to indeed do what's needed and necessary to bring about our sanctification. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.
I know not what today brings but I do know that Jesus was always already in it before I got here. He already knew every single detail and is working all things together for our good and His glory.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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