“But the people took courage, and strengthened themselves and again set their battle line in the same place ” Judges 20:22
Read: Judges 20: 18-46; Micah 7:7-20; II Corinthians 4:7-17
A few years ago Robert Schuller, the pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Los Angeles said, ‘Tough times never last; only tough people do’. He also said, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ You know both of those statements are so true? Every challenging situation that we deal with is temporary and will pass. And that is one of the reasons God allows our faith to be tried: So we can become tough and not be knocked down by every wind of trial and temptation. Every Christian will have to learn to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. Our Savior Himself learnt obedience by the things he suffered. So whatever you are encountering today, rejoice because it’s not over yet. You may even have been knocked down already. And maybe the reason was because you were careless and did not do what you should have done at a point in time. However, in spite of that, I want you to know that you can rise up again and get in the fight. And if you do, God will fight for you and give you the victory. I like the way the Old Testament prophet Micah puts it. He said, ‘Rejoice not against me o my enemy. For when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me!’ So Satan better not get happy yet. We’re not done. The fight is still on and when it’s all said and done, God and we will be standing tall. Hallelujah! Listen to the words of Apostle Paul, “we’re pressed on every side but not crushed; we’re pursued but not deserted; Struck down but never struck out or destroyed!” Wow, doesn’t that fill you with hope and joy! No matter where you are today, you can still get up and go again. The going may be tough, but as a tough warrior, you can go again. So do it now. Get up. Blow off the dust of defeat. Draw your sword of faith. Get in the fight. Set your face like a flint. Go for it and win. Praise God! You will conquer.