I have faced many battles in my days, as I’m sure you have as well. I reckon that is part of why you’ve been drawn to this site.
Wield Your Weapon
While I’ve learned that there are some consistencies among my battles, I’ve also come to realize there is something new and fresh to be learned in each one. And often, there are weapons or wisdom which can be carried forward and used to fight future battles. Today’s post carries the gift of one such weapon:
Declare the end before it comes.
That might seem a bit presumptuous, especially if it’s early in the battle. But we must always remember that we are fighting by faith, which believes in what it cannot yet see.
Heavenly Perspective vs. Our Own
I remember one particularly harrowing fight in my journey. I had nearly lost, from my vantage point, and I had the wounds to prove it. But God’s view is always different from ours, and He graced me with a little of His perspective when I needed it most.
One day, a woman I had never met before (and who therefore knew nothing about the battle I was enduring) approached and asked if she could pray for me. I had learned early to never refuse prayer (another nugget for you!), so I bowed my head to receive. Her prayer was really more of a declaration. In fact, I don’t remember anything else she said except, “The fight is over. It is finished.”
Truthfully, I was a bit shocked, and even a little offended. Was she blind?! If it was the Lord Who sent her to pray for me, couldn’t she see the distress I was in? Wasn’t it obvious how much suffering I was still in the midst of? From my vantage point, the battle was far from being finished.
But that was the whole, beautiful point. As far as I could see, the situation looked nearly hopeless and unending. But as far as God could see, the whole war had already been won, because what I was fighting against had already been defeated on the cross.
It IS finshed!
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant it. It wasn’t just a tidy way to end the chapter of His suffering. It was an authoritative declaration that echoed down through the corridors of time and space, and became a weapon for His followers throughout the ages to use in every battle they face.
When you and I face our trials, our difficulties, our sufferings, our fiercest fights – whether they be internal or external in nature – we have the right and privilege to declare with authority, at the onset, that “It is finished.” And this declaration, I daresay, changes the way we pray (a.k.a., the way we fight), the way we endure, and the way we speak as we are enduring.
The Victory Dance
I am nearing the end of another great battle. There was much to be won or lost at the scene of this one. I imagine much more than I can fathom. But God granted me the grace to wield the weapon of declaration, and to believe that nothing I face is greater than Him, or greater than His promises for me. So I have already begun to dance the dance of victory. In fact, I’ve been singing and dancing in declaration over this battlefield for months now. And I am finally seeing the enemy’s retreat.
For whatever battle(s) you are facing in this hour, I offer you the weapon of declaration. Really, it is a sword, declaring the Truth of God – His Word – over your enemy and over your life. Though you may not see it yet, and may wonder if you ever will, take hold of it and shout it out! Sing it, dance it, and watch it come to pass!
The enemy will whisper that you’re going to look like a fool when it doesn’t turn out the way you are declaring it will, but God has already started the music for the victory dance. Will you begin to dance and rejoice with me today? I declare that it is high time for this battle to see a divine turnaround!
“For the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again – my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:11
Here’s something to get you started!!
She Dances Over Graves 