Feeling Defeated – Morning Devotion From the Edges –

FROM the EDGES – Morning Devotions
Pastor Calvin Cook 3-5-2023
LENT – DAY 18 – FEELING DEFEATED
Scripture focus – Luke 15:20 (NIV) – “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Welcome to morning confession. Yesterday before the day was in full swing – I felt defeated. There was a situation going on that I had allowed to invade my quiet time with God. I felt at first it was too big of a mountain to climb. I was reminded of my own words a few days earlier “Do we climb mountains for our own benefit or to see what’s on the other side.” I wasn’t willing to take my own advice. I gave into defeat before I fought the battle. But through surrender and prayer and unexpected outcome came into view.
However, as I think back, it was a way that God taught a God lesson on trust and patience and even a bit of repentance. It caused a turning to prayer not just of myself but of others affected. God heard the prayers and responded.

So here we are like the Prodigal son. Having and wanting everything. Having much and desiring more. Thinking we can do more with what is in reserve for us than the one who is holding the reserve. In the case the father trusted the son to do better only to see that what the son received was wasted, squandered away. Finally, an admission takes place, and the son returns to the one who will give him peace and love unconditionally.

I find myself feeling defeated, but this defeat is not from the one who gives life. The feeling of defeat is coming from the evil one. You see scripture tells us that” in Christ we are victories.” In the situation yesterday it was through surrender and through prayer and trusting that the defeated attitude was defeated and the impossible was possible. It was the truest example of faith moving mountains. Yes, sometimes we must quit wondering around in the desert and listen to a new direction, being remade in the image of Christ. We cannot claim defeat as the final.

Even in our brokenness, when defeats feel like they are stacking up. God’s love remains constant. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God’s love fights for us even when we feel unworthy. His kindness extends to us at our lowest point.
May we all claim that love and be who we have been created to be – victorious children of a loving heavenly Father.

I think it is time to pray –
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love. As we reflect on defeats, times of uncertainty, trials, and tribulations, may we be reminded that Your love pursued us when we were lost and fought for us when our trust was slim. Help us to embrace the truth that there’s no shadow, no mountain, no wall too great for Your love to overcome. May we bask in the assurance that we are embraced in the father’s love, forever and always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.