So often - we like to dream of the "Overcoming" when really, the challenge before us is to "Hold fast".... Overcoming is so MUCH FUN! We glory in it... and Overcoming truly is a wonderful feeling... but so many times, we forget that the "REAL BATTLE" has only begun with the overcoming.... (Look at the WHOLE book of Judges..)
Overcoming is so quickly forgotten.... The "High" produced doesn't last... AND.. The reality is that "Overcoming" may well drive out the enemy.. But, don't fool yourself... the enemy is going to try his best to come right on back...
Matt 12:45 and Luke 11:26... You drive out the Demon... That's "Overcoming".... He is unhappy about this - so he gets 7 others even worse than himself to come and retake what was once his..... This is "Holding Fast".... Which is going to be the greater challenge? Driving out the ONE - or standing fast against the attacks of the 8 that are now on your doorstep?
"Overcoming" is like the day you got married... Glory! Happiness! Top of the World, no one can touch you....
"Hold fast" is 2 years later when the baby has the Flu, your wife hit a curb and busted 2 tires on the car, Work is griping that you need to put in more hours, the toilet is stopped up, the Inlaws call wanting to come spend 2-weeks with you, AND the checkbook is empty....
"Hold fast" is when you really need to dig deepest... to dig DOWN DEEP... To grab on to Jesus as HARD as you can... to "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14)... to Hold on to the message of HIS faithfulness. (Rev 2:13) To put on the WHOLE armor of God (Ephesians 6) - and never fool yourself that you are strong enough to stand on your own because you were overcoming....
This scripture struck me:
Isaiah 30:20-21 (NASB)
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left,"
Overcoming is so quickly forgotten.... The "High" produced doesn't last... AND.. The reality is that "Overcoming" may well drive out the enemy.. But, don't fool yourself... the enemy is going to try his best to come right on back...
Matt 12:45 and Luke 11:26... You drive out the Demon... That's "Overcoming".... He is unhappy about this - so he gets 7 others even worse than himself to come and retake what was once his..... This is "Holding Fast".... Which is going to be the greater challenge? Driving out the ONE - or standing fast against the attacks of the 8 that are now on your doorstep?
"Overcoming" is like the day you got married... Glory! Happiness! Top of the World, no one can touch you....
"Hold fast" is 2 years later when the baby has the Flu, your wife hit a curb and busted 2 tires on the car, Work is griping that you need to put in more hours, the toilet is stopped up, the Inlaws call wanting to come spend 2-weeks with you, AND the checkbook is empty....
"Hold fast" is when you really need to dig deepest... to dig DOWN DEEP... To grab on to Jesus as HARD as you can... to "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14)... to Hold on to the message of HIS faithfulness. (Rev 2:13) To put on the WHOLE armor of God (Ephesians 6) - and never fool yourself that you are strong enough to stand on your own because you were overcoming....
This scripture struck me:
Isaiah 30:20-21 (NASB)
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left,"
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