Never Back Down

A few years ago, I stumbled on a movie titled ‘Never Back Down’. The movie told the story of a teenager who moved to a new city, his struggle to fit in and his drive to keep getting up regardless of the number of times he was literally laid on the floor (either by life or by getting a thorough beat down). Because He kept getting back up, he was eventually victorious. Like Einstein said, “you only fail when you stop trying”.

2020 has been a year of beat downs for so many people; job losses, salary cuts, cancelled contracts, strained relationships, you name it. But I’m here to say to you “never back down”. Why? The most straightforward answer is because if you back down, you will never taste the victory that is in store for you. The bible also says (and I love how the MSG translation puts it) “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade (II Cor. 2:14, MSG)”. Imagine the experience of being led in a perpetual victory parade. When you look at the heroes in the bible, what stood them apart was that they never backed down even in the face of adversity. Imagine if David had backed down when he faced Goliath or if Esther had backed down when she had to face the King. They faced great odds, the kind you face when you play the Game of Thrones (“When you play the Game of Thrones, you either win or die. There is no middle ground”- Cersei Lannister). They didn't back down, stood strong and eventually emerged victorious.

At this point, you may be thinking ‘Sage, this is all well and good but it is easier said than done’ and I agree with you. As such, whenever you feel down, beaten, broken or defeated, do like David did: strengthen yourself in the Lord (I Sam. 30:6, II Chr. 32:7-8) and trust Him for the Lord is with you and has already fought the battle on your behalf (II Chr. 20:17). Last I checked, in the entirety of human existence, God has never and will never lose a battle. God has already won the battles on your behalf, He will give you beauty for your ashes and joy for mourning (Is. 61:3). The charge from me to you is very simple: Never Back Down! The best is yet to come!

 

P.S. As Pastor Adeboye said in his prophecy for 2020: this year will be a year of joy and victory. Victory after victory, shouts of joy after shouts of joy

Photo cred: Victory