Defeat

There are times when everything lines up against me and I know I can’t win no matter what I say or what I do. I do feel as I have to concede defeat in situations like that. I’m not saying I’m a wimp or a push over, but I think I’m bright enough to know when I can’t win. In those moments I have to do the best with what I have.

Job was in a conversation with God. He has just survived the most incredible test that anyone could hardly even imagine. God is responding to some of Job’s outcry to Him during the suffering. The Lord starts describing this incredibly powerful creature that sounds to me like a dinosaur. Check this out…

31 It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron

    and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.

32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it;

    one would think the deep had white hair.

33 Nothing on earth is its equal—

    a creature without fear.

34 It looks down on all that are haughty;

    it is king over all that are proud.” (Job 41:31-34 NIV)

As I was reading this chapter and the Lord is describing this incredible creature, I’m thinking about the guy who brought a knife to a gunfight. I can’t think of any weapon at Job’s disposal that would put up a fight against this creature. I think if we had dinosaurs, it would take a bazooka or some sort of missile to take them down. I always think of a scene in the first Indiana Jones movie where this dude comes up to Indy with a couple of swords and he’s swinging them back and forth ready to attack and Indy has just escaped some other pursuers. After this guy puts on a show with his shiny swords, Indy pulls out a pistol and drops him. It epitomized “bringing the knife (aka swords) to a gun fight.

I’m thankful to know the One Who created the dinosaur. I’m thankful that we don’t see them around anymore. I’m also learning to lean into the Lord and let Him give me counsel when facing giant odds and not knowing my next move. I want to pick my battles carefully and realize that He ultimately determines my victory in battle. If I go down in defeat, I realize that I may have lost this battle, but I know Who wins the war.

Pressing On!

Dwayne