VICTORY

“Oh God,” David cried, “You have cast us off, You have broken us down, You have been greatly displeased with us!  Oh God, I plead, restore us again!”

            The unbelievable has happened.  The great warrior whom God placed on the throne of Israel, the man after God’s own heart, God’s chosen one, King David and his mighty men have lost a battle.  It was a terrible defeat for the nation of Israel was greatly shaken.  David, who had previously experienced much hardship and oppression, felt as if the earth itself shook to the very core and would surely break into pieces.

            “Heal its breaches, for it is shaking,” he cried to his God.  “You have shown Your people hard things, You have made us drink the wine of confusion.”

            After my son’s death, I looked over a battlefield strewn with the devastation of war and aftermath.  Broken hearts, wounded souls, dashed hopes, smashed dreams and shredded lives.  God made my world tremble indeed everything was shaking under my feet and my very life was torn apart. 

            You have broken me, Lord, brought me to my knees for sure.  You have gone to the very core of my being and ripped out the gold, taken what was precious and valuable to my heart.  You left me reaching for Your hand, seeking Your face, needing Your strength, longing for Your love and desiring Your Presence.

            My God, You have let me and my loved ones stagger around in a confused daze wondering where You are in all of this.

            But wait! Does David see a glimmer of hope in the darkness?   

            “You have given a banner to those who fear you!”  Is there yet a light shinning in the night?

            “That it may be displayed because of the truth!”  Does David see God even in the gloom of defeat?

            “That Your beloved may be delivered!” Do I hear him pouring out his heart to God with confidence?

            “Save us, Oh God, with your righteous right hand and hear me!” 

            David trusts his God.  His strength lies in his confidence in the mighty Creator of all things. He is indeed confident that his Lord will give them the banner of victory.  The flag of Israel will fly over the army of God’s elect once again!  This David knows because he has heard God’s voice. 

             He says, “God has spoken in His holiness.  Therefore, I will rejoice!”

            Yes, there has been a great defeat in my life.  The armies of Satan and evil have come against me and have delivered a great blow.  A startling loss it  has been for all of us who were close to my son.  We were smashed, trampled, and left reeling in confusion and grief.  Darkness seemed to have gained the upper hand.

            But wait!  There is a Light shining in the darkness.  The Light leads me to the truth.  The Light will overcome the darkness now and forever. There is a flag of victory flying over our heads.  Our banner of faith and trust in our Almighty God stands tall and sure even in the smoke and fire of battle.

            Now I stand on that hill and look upon a field of victory!   I have seen the Glory of the Lord and have heard His voice. I will rejoice.

            God treads down our enemies. He is our Deliverer and He is standing by.  The battle belongs to Him and through Him, we will do valiantly!  He is in our midst and He has the victory!

            People raise your fists to the sky!  Lift your voices in praise! Rejoice!  He has won! The banner that flies over us says “YAH, The Lord!”

            It is His banner and all Mighty God, the King of Kings has claimed us for His own.  We are His and His banner will never be torn down.  He holds us in His righteous right hand forever and ever.  No one can take us from His hand.  He is the Restorer, the Healer and the Lover of our souls.

            The war will go on.  The final victory after the last skirmish of death will be when I walk through those shimmering gates.  When I see my Saviors sweet face, when I hug my son and greet many dear loved ones.  When I grab Stephen’s hand and fly across those hills of gold.  When I sing praises to my God forever and ever.

Holy  Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almight!

Through God we will do valiantly! 

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength, the rock of ages.” Is. 26:3-4    

Read Psalms 60

And the Light Shines!