Strength to Rise*
March 12
So do not fear…for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
Isaiah 41:10
By the fourth round Carmen had been knocked down more times than in any other fight. He wasn’t sure he wanted to get back up this time. But something from deep inside pushed him up from the mat, and he rose to meet his opponent one more time.
His adversary looked on in amazement as Carmen prepared to reenter the battle. How can he keep getting up?! he wondered. I’ve given him my best, and yet he won’t stay down!
As the referee’s count reached seven, Carmen’s vision cleared. He saw the look of doubt in his opponent’s eyes…a surge of confidence welled up within him, for he could see his opponent no longer felt sure of victory.
In fact, Carmen knocked him out in the sixth round.
In the ensuing interview Carmen was asked how he continued to get up after receiving such a beating. He answered, “God encourages me to refuse to stay down when I have the strength to do otherwise. He gives me the strength to rise amidst the doubt in my mind.”
†
We are endowed with an indomitable spirit, but no one wins every battle. And sometimes we lose miserably. When knocked down we can do more than we ever imagined if we refuse to stay down.
Because of the nature of sin, we lose some of the spiritual battles we fight, but we need not give up or concede defeat. Carmen won more battles than he lost because he never stayed on the mat once he became conscious of his surroundings. We too can rise from what appears to be obvious defeat.
In their song, “What Faith Can Do” Christian recording artists, Kutless begin and end the song by encouraging us to find the strength to rise and make a new beginning. Their premise is anchored in faith…a faith anchored in God’s strength and ability to see us through this life.
If we hang on to God, we will find the strength to rise no matter how many times we get knocked down.
Prayer
“Lead me to a place of confidence in You where my battles are concerned, LORD. Help me rise in Your great strength. Amen.”
*Inspired by the Song, What Faith Can Do by Christian recording artists, Kutless
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