In the Kingdom of Heaven winning is about more than the crown of life we attain at the end of this life. God also offers victory on a regular basis in the midst of our earthly journey.
I know all of this, but sometimes it still feels like I'm losing: losing resources, losing control, losing hope, losing favor, even something losing my mind! In times like these I try to cling to the example and witness of those before me, such as that of King David.
David was the most victorious King who established the largest amount of land in all of Israel's history. He also faced some of the greatest opposition, and he was not always well equipped (in an earthly sense) for the battle. From his epic battle with the giant Goliath (using only a slingshot) right on through the end of his life, one of his keys to victory seemed to be his understanding that God was his source of victory.
Psalm 16 and 56-60, all Psalms of David, beginning with the description "miktam." No one can tell for certain exactly what the word means in English. But they each define a period of time in David's life when he faced intense opposition that he could neither control nor defeat. His response to each situation was to declare God's goodness.
In the face of dangerous and uncertain times, he declared to God, "You have made my lot secure." (Psalm 16:5)
When seized by a larger, opposing army, he declared "In God I trust: I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:4)
When Saul's army chased him and there was nowhere to run, he claimed God as his refuge. (Psalm 57:1)
In the face of injustice, he exalts God as the true avenger of the righteous. (Psalm 58:10)
When men were at the door of his home with an order to kill him, David called upon God to be his fortress. (Psalm 59:9)
In the face of an undefeatable enemy, David ultimately that "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." (Psalm 60:12)
Sometimes victory does not come to us when or how we like it. But in Christ, it always comes. Why not take the time to ask the LORD what victories he wants to bring to to your life?
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