“…but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5 (KJV).
When I was a young boy, I remember hearing a story that has remained in my mind ever since, though despite great effort, I cannot find the source for it, so I am uncertain of its veracity. Regardless, it is worth retelling because it is of great illustrative value.
It was said that there was a great fortress on a hilltop somewhere in the Middle East that had never been conquered. It had perhaps changed hands through treaties, but as a rule it had never been taken by force. It had a vantage point that made it impossible to approach without being seen, it had an internal supply of fresh water, its elevation made a frontal attack an exercise in suicide, and the walls were impenetrable. Bottom line: all the occupants had to do to win a battle was wait.
Then came the crusades. The location of this castle made it an object of desire for both sides of the conflict, and soon enough a siege was laid to this fortress. Months passed with no change to the stalemate. Soon, one of the generals of the besieging force noticed an occasional dove flying out of one of the towers on the castle. He ordered one of these birds captured, and just as he suspected, they were messenger doves carrying notes from the occupants of the castle to their king asking for help.
The sly General knew just what to do. He scribbled a note onto a scrap of paper and sent it back to the tower with the captured dove. Soon, the gates opened and out of the fortress came the exhausted citizens to surrender under a white flag of truce. In a few brief moments it was all over, and the fortress had fallen for the first time.
Curious, one of the General’s adjutants asked the question, “General, what was the message that made them surrender so quickly? Did you tell them how many soldiers we had, or perhaps what misfortunes would befall them if they did not give up?” The General smiled as he answered the young man. “No. It simply said: My armies are beaten, and I cannot come to your aide. I have surrendered, and you should too. Signed, Your King”
The young man stood aghast at what he had just heard. “But that was dishonest! Their king is still on the throne and still fighting valiantly!”, He said emphatically. The old General replied, “It was a lie to be sure, but I knew if I could steal their hope of rescue, they would surrender, and so they have.” The young man had one final question. “But what if they had recognized that the writing on the note did not belong to their king?” Once again, the veteran General had the answer, “It was a risk I had to take. I was counting on none of them having a close enough relationship with him to know the difference between his words and mine.”
Just like the wizened old General in that story, our enemy is sly and persistent. His ultimate goal, as we well know, is to destroy our lives and rob us of any future success. He will stop at nothing.
I cannot tell you how many times I have felt like I was at the end of my rope. I was ready to throw in the towel. Surrounded, and the sun that had always lit my path was dipping beneath the horizon, Hope was fading.
Suddenly, a word came! Someone stepped forward with just what I needed to hear. God had sent me the reinforcements that would help me fight another day! The taste of such a victory is so sweet because we get to change the ending. The enemy had us written off. He was going to squeeze the last bit of life out of us and ride off into the sunset, BUT GOD!
You see, tribulation is a given in the life of a believer. Jesus said it Himself in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
We can expect our enemy to try to beat us at every turn. That is just what he does. However, we can also expect to beat him every time. God has empowered us to win because that is just what He does!
We can expect our enemy to try to beat us at every turn. That is just what he does. However, we can also expect to beat him every time. God has empowered us to win because that is just what He does!
Dustin Midkiff
A big part of winning the victory is how tightly we cling to hope. Years ago, I heard an old Russian proverb that says, “Hope is the last to die.” I have found that to be true. Every time I lost a battle, my hope of winning was the last thing I gave up. Hope makes me cling to the lifeboat for one more day. It makes me bring my pain and disappointments to the Master in prayer ONE MORE TIME!
Surely the enemy will try to dissuade me from my stubborn resistance. He will shout his discouragement from the other side of the wall. “It would be easier to just give up. You know help is a million miles away. My victory is inevitable. Lower the standard and lay down the sword. The King is not coming this time.”
What he does not understand is this: I know what my King’s Words sound like. Satan’s messages will not fool me. I know those are not things my King would say. I can win if I just hold on one more day! Hope is not lost! The King is coming! I must occupy until He comes!
I can win if I just hold on one more day! Hope is not lost! The King is coming! I must occupy until He comes!
Dustin Midkiff
Hang in there, Friend! You will not stay on the ropes. You are not beaten yet! Send your enemy a message: “Request for surrender is denied. You just wait until my Father gets here and we will see who wins this one!” Victory is coming in the morning!
Be the first to comment