Setbacks are setups for comebacks

By DUNCAN MANGO
Published April 27, 2010

With all that is going on in the world at the moment, one would expect the Lord to be very busy. Yet we read that He is seated at the right hand of God waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. If He had not risen, our faith would have been in vain, and we would have been of all men most miserable. But now the one most miserable is the devil, because when He was cast out of the heavens, he found victory had already been granted on earth. With nowhere to go having lost the keys of death and hades, he roams the earth roaring like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. He has resorted to guerilla attacks against our victorious army, who are occupying the land till He comes.

In fact, he has become so stripped that the only war he can wage is against our faith. In their last dinner together, Jesus let Peter know that the devil has asked for him – to sift him like wheat. But He assured Peter that He had prayed for him. One would have thought the Lord would pray that these sifting plans would come to nought. Or at least pray that the weapons being formed would become deformed. But He did not pray against those things. Those are meant to come, as promised in John 16:33. So Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.

That is where our battle is – in fighting the good fight of faith. And even in this faith-fight you have not been left comfortless, because He continues to be the author and the finisher of your faith. With the odds stacked for you – the victory won, the fight yours to lose – your race is now at rest. Resting assured that He who started a good work in you, in your life, in your calling, in your purpose; in all your undertakings will finish it until The Day.

Indeed, your fight is so one-sided, that every setback is just a setup for your comeback. All you do is keep fighting the good fight, so you can finish the race, having kept the faith. While the devil fights because he has been defeated, we fight because we have won. So with all that is going on in your world at the moment, the Lord expects you to be seated with Him in heavenly places – because it is a winning battle.

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