‘Defeating Defeat’— “for such a time as this.”

Have you ever ended your day with a feeling of defeat? Well, if you’re anything like me, you have— on more than one occasion. That sort of happened to me yesterday…

I had a bit of a challenging day at work. In reflection of my day, my basic questions to myself were:

• Did I handle myself correctly?

• Were my responses sin?

• Although I was frustrated, did I sin?

(“Be ye angry, and sin not:…” Ephesians‬ ‭4:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

(SIDE NOTE: Sometimes, things that throw us off track can be very minimal— really no big deal at all in the major scheme of things, especially considering how EXTREMELY blessed we are! This was my yesterday.)

I took some time yesterday evening to spend time in prayer about my day and my responses. You see, I realize that I may not have committed a “major sin,” so to speak, but I want my responses to be correct— regardless if anyone sees them or not.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/1/luk.6.45.kjv

So, I want my heart to be pure and submitted to Christ—fully. Then my responses will flow from a heart of love.

You may think that is a little extreme, but have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s the little foxes that destroy the vine.”? It comes from the Song of Solomon. The New Living Translation (NLT) puts it this way…

“Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love,…” (2:15‬) https://www.bible.com/116/sng.2.15.nlt

I don’t want to hesitate to nip something in the bud that will in any way affect my relationship with Christ. I don’t want to let any root of wrong responses or bitterness take any hold in my heart and grow. In the day and age in which we are living, we simply cannot afford it. Not only for our own redemption, but for that of others, as well. I truly believe we are not here at this time in history by accident— but “for such a time as this.” (Ref. Esther‬ ‭4:14‬, below)

We are not here to hide; we are not here to simply be loud and proud; but I believe we are here to be an example—an ambassador / a representative / A LIGHT for Christ…that the whole world— or those in our little world– can see the light of Jesus Christ shine out in faith over fear— ‘waiving a banner’ of righteousness—yes, righteousness– upright living.

You may not feel righteous— or holy, but that is my point…last night, I felt some defeat, but God in his infinite greatness allows me to come to His throne boldly and seek any forgiveness I may need, and ask Him for help to do better— to surrender any of that nature that I might still be holding onto, that I need to lay at His feet.

And this is how my God responds…

This morning, my devotion— for this day (September 3rd) said; and I quote: “…continue on even when you’ve failed.”(1) In a totally separate reading this morning, it talked about how Jesus was lifted high on the cross to be the double negative (which equals a positive!) for us…

“…It is the double negative redemption…the binding of all bondage…the rejection of rejection…the limiting of all limitations…the barring of all barriers…the defeating of defeat…the death of all death… That is the power that you have in Messiah. Live in that power and, from the negative of the negative, bring forth redemption.”(2)

From that same reference, “The Mission” for today was:

“Live today in the power of the double negative redemption. Doubt the doubt, defy the defiance, bind the bondage, reject the rejection, defeat the defeat, and turn death into life.”

May we not live below our means when it comes to spiritual matters, accepting our shortcomings– our sin— as part of who we are. Jesus gave a great sacrifice to give us more. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be living in the last days “denying the power” (“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/1/2ti.3.5.kjv) (See NLT version below. (3)); but I want to live in victory, asking God to align my desires with his; surrendering my responses to Him; allowing Him to fill me with His love— the kind of love that defeats fear (reference to last post)— the kind of love that responds correctly— the kind of love that overflows with the glowing light of Christ, representing Him; ‘defeating defeat;’ bringing hope; encouraging; lifting; exciting…

“for just such a time as this.”

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://www.bible.com/116/est.4.14.nlt

___

(1) The Heart-Shaped Life, Daily Devotional Journal, Karen Moore, 2017, September 3.

(2) The Book of Mysteries, Jonathan Cahn, 2016, Day 196.

(3) “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly….” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://www.bible.com/116/2ti.3.5.nlt);