Strength in (Seeming) Defeat

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All through the Word of God we are encouraged to have faith in God and to draw on His strength and power in our lives. To do this, of course, we must realize our own weakness and understand clearly that “the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:2323O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)). But if we look at man’s history, we have abundant examples, especially in the Old Testament, where men who did not have strength leaned on Him and gained wonderful victories. We see Abraham arming his 318 servants and defeating a confederation of four kings, who had just defeated another confederation of five kings. We see the children of Israel passing through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians were drowned in trying to follow them. We see Israel conquering the land of Canaan, although vastly outnumbered by their enemies. We see David, who was only a youth, killing Goliath, who was not only a giant, but a skilled man of war. The list goes on and on of those who, counting on God’s power, won great victories. Some of this history is recorded in Hebrews 11, and especially the history of Abraham’s family, and subsequently Moses and the children of Israel.
Finally some are mentioned without details being given — Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and the prophets (Heb. 11:3232And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (Hebrews 11:32)). (Note that the first four names are not given in chronological order, but perhaps in the order of the strength of their faith.) The triumphs of these men (and women too!) are well documented for us in Scripture. But then, in the middle of verse 35, we read, “And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance.  ... Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment” (vss. 35-36). It might seem, at first glance, that these were people without faith, for they did not experience the outward demonstration of God’s power and deliverance. Yet, the Spirit of God records that “these all” were among those who “obtained a good report through faith” (vs. 39). Some may ask how this could happen, if there was real faith in their hearts.
Tried With Fire
We must recognize that God is glorified when His people gain great victories through His strength, but that He is also glorified when they “endure grief, suffering wrongfully” (1 Peter 2:1919For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:19)). God does at times glorify His name by displaying His power on behalf of His people, and we can be very thankful for this. However, the greatest display of faith, that which brings the greatest honor to the Lord, is found when His people continue steadfast in their trust and confidence, even when it is not outwardly rewarded at the time. In the one case our faith is rewarded down here; in the other we must wait for the reward in resurrection. Another has aptly remarked that “God may test our faith, but He will never disappoint our faith.” This is true, but the testing may go on throughout this life, without seeming to be rewarded. Then our faith is indeed “tried with fire,” but this severe trial of our faith will be found “unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:77That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)). There is a glory in having God come in with His power down here and demonstrate clearly His ability to deliver us, but there is an even greater glory when His people endure all that can come against them, without any outward relief, yet continue to honor the Lord and go on in faithfulness.
No Open Intervention
In these last days, perhaps we are seeing more of this, as the rejection of Christ becomes more and more pronounced in this world. Yet God does not openly intervene in the affairs of men, although doubtless allowing events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and floods to occur, to warn men of coming judgment. More than this, He is working behind the scenes and moving everything in a direction to accomplish His purposes. In the meanwhile, believers are finding the truth of our Lord’s words, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:3333These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)), and also, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:1818If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)). Sad to say, some are succumbing to the pressure and deciding that the Christian pathway is too difficult, that it is better to compromise a little and to enjoy some relief from the difficulties of following a rejected Christ. But the Lord has given us wonderful encouragement.
Remember Jesus Christ
Are we willing to be as our Lord and Master? It is noteworthy that in Hebrews 11:35-3835Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:35‑38), no names are given. Earlier in the chapter, names are given for those who were victorious in faith, but none for those who endured, without being delivered. While not pretending to explain this fully, I would suggest that the Spirit of God does not want to take our eyes away from the One who is the supreme example of this. Was there ever One who suffered as our blessed Lord did, without being delivered? He could say prophetically in Psalm 22:4,64Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. (Psalm 22:4)
6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. (Psalm 22:6), “Our fathers trusted in Thee: they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.  ... But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” More than this, He could say, “My God, I cry by day, and Thou answerest not” (Psa. 22:33But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3) JND). Not only was there no deliverance, but even His cry went unanswered. Yet what does Scripture exhort us to do? We read in 2 Timothy 2:88Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: (2 Timothy 2:8) JND, “Remember Jesus Christ raised from among the dead, of the seed of David, according to my glad tidings.” Paul was suffering too, without deliverance, yet he tells Timothy to remember that the reward for faithfulness down here will come in resurrection, and not necessarily in this world. It was so for our blessed Master, and “it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord” (Matt. 10:2525It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? (Matthew 10:25)).
An Eternal Perspective
The difficulties of the way are many in these last days. In some lands open persecution of believers is going on, even unto death. In other lands, life has become complicated and challenging, especially for young people; finding a suitable career, establishing a home and raising a family are much more demanding than they were a few years ago. Some are “opting out,” and especially when they see others who compromise and seem to get along well. If we are tempted to do this, let us remember that faithfulness will never go unnoticed by the Lord, and it will never go unrewarded. But we must take an eternal perspective, for “the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:1818While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)).
W. J. Prost