Waiting in the Wings

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Tag: victory

The Two Faces of Victory

“Peaceable Kingdom” by Meghan Williams, Dyed4you Art

I’ve always been intrigued by the two animals that symbolize our mighty Savior—the lion and the lamb. As far as Messianic references go, these two animals seem like they couldn’t be more different from one another. One is the fierce king of the jungle, while the other is the docile and innocent vessel of atonement. While the lion and the lamb may seem very different, I believe they perfectly represent the two faces of victory in the Kingdom of Heaven—the two faces of our Messiah. Christ is both suffering servant and conquering king.

Like the Jews of the first century, modern believers look with hope for the Son of David, the one who will set up a godly kingdom that will fill the whole earth. Many of us groan within to see the kingdom of darkness fully expelled by our mighty Warrior King. If His ancestor King David foreshadowed Christ’s second coming, what power can withstand Him when the God of the Universe backs Him?

And yet, as the Lamb, as the sacrifice for our atonement, in many ways Christ has already demonstrated great might. He walked the earth in gentleness and humility. He was a vessel of compassion, healing the sick, raising the dead, and sharing the sweet news of the Kingdom with all who would hear. And most of all, He defeated death forever with one great act of love and self-sacrifice.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, complete victory can look mighty and peaceful all at once. In Scripture, there were times when God called His people to arise in courage and war for the sake of His Kingdom. He would clothe His warriors with physical might through His Spirit. Yet I believe He still calls His people to arise in courage and go to war—yet now with our most powerful weapons in the Spirit that we can often overlook. The kingdom of darkness is no match for traits such as humility, gentleness, selflessness, and love. The weapons of the Spirit may reflect the face of the Lamb, but they most certainly overcome the darkness with the roar of the Lion.

Revelation 5:5-6 (TPT) Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping. Look! The mighty Lion of Judah’s tribe, the root of David—he has conquered! He is the worthy one who can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a young Lamb standing in the middle of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. He appeared to have been slaughtered but was now alive! He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out to the ends of the earth.

The Joy of Eternal Life

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Beloved, know that I have given you fullness of joy because I have granted you complete access to My Presence. Resist the urge to become discouraged when the earthly realm shifts your focus and you feel out of alignment with Me. Simply stop, take a breath, and seek Me. Look to the Cross and remember that the way has been paved back into the Garden of My Presence. Your old life is gone and I have made you new. The newness of life that you now have is eternal and lived by faith, and daily I call you to discover what that means.

There is grace upon grace upon grace as you learn how to remain in the flow of abundant life. As much as possible, resist feeling pressured or rushed by the earthly realm. While the world, at times, may seem to be overpowering, it is I, your God, that holds power over all. Victory is not waiting for you in some distant future; victory is available now through My Spirit.

Now is the time to come into My rest. Simply learn to “be” in Me. I created you for freedom, therefore, feel free to live, and move, and have your being in Me. You exist that I might delight in you and that you might delight in Me. Holy pleasure is found as you cease from striving and remain at rest and life-union with your Creator.

Therefore, I say, take of the fruit of the tree of life—My Word. My Word holds the answer to every question you have, it is the antidote to whatever ails you, it is your vision and wisdom, and it contains all of the promises I have given to you. By partaking of My Word—My very nature—your inner life is renewed daily. As your thoughts and perspective become as My own, the uncontainable joy of life will come bursting forth from within you.

John 10:10 (VOICE) The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.

John 4:14 (NLT) But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Ride Forth

Revelation 19:14-15 (AMP) And the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, [dazzling] white and clean, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword (His word) with which He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He will tread the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty [in judgment of the rebellious world].

There is a call from heaven to don our linen robes, climb upon our horses, and ride into war with our King. But what does Kingdom warfare truly look like? In Scripture, we see a foreshadowing of Christ through the mighty warrior King David. David drew all of his strength from God alone. God preserved David in good times and in bad and ultimately empowered David to unify the Kingdom of Israel. David had perpetual victory in battle due to his strong connection with the King of Kings.

David set the model for Kingdom warfare for both the fighters that gathered to him and for believers today. He had a unique practice of inquiring of God before going into battle. When times were hardest, and even when his very allies were against him (1 Samuel 30:6), David would strengthen himself in God. It was from this place that God would direct David and proclaim the coming victory in battle. David would carefully act upon God’s directives with bold confidence; one could say he was clothed and armed in God’s mighty Word.

This is a pattern that we can follow today. When faced with trials, intercession must be our first response. In the secret place, we will find the Living Word of God and be able to cloth and equip ourselves with it. The Word is always “now,” with a life-giving perspective for every situation we face. But from the secret place, we must also be ready to act upon God’s Word when necessary. We must be prepared to get up on our horses and ride forth in our God-given commissions.

No matter what trial you are facing today, remember, that it is not by accident. The King of Kings has need of you. He is ready and willing to empower you to overcome. Therefore, run to the secret place, listen for His voice, and fearlessly act upon His instructions.

Psalm 16:7-8 (NKJV) I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

I AM For You

Joshua 1:7 (NKJV) “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Beloved, I am for you. As you take small, faith-filled steps into your promised land, remember you are not walking alone. You and I are a team, bonded as one through your wilderness sojourns. I have already determined to work every situation in your favor. I go before you to pave your path to victory. I take down each of your giants when you are willing to face them. And when you take new territory in your inheritance, I join you in celebration. Nothing makes Me happier than to see you obtain My promised blessings!

Therefore, resist the voices of fear and doubt which seek to obscure your vision. Carefully weigh and test each thought that arises in your heart to ensure that it comes from Me. I will never use fear and intimidation to lead you or move you away from danger. I always shepherd you with gentleness and with peace. I vigilantly keep watch over you and am well equipped to protect you.

Let no earthly obstacle hold you back from obtaining all that I have for you. With each new step that you take, rest in the power of the Cross. For it is on the Cross that I made an eternal declaration that I am on your side. Walk in bold confidence of My love for you for it covers you completely and is what assures your victory.

Revelation 12:11 (NLT) And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

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