Dealing with Setbacks

Judges 8:1-8

The devil often counterattacks after a spiritual victory. God used Gideon and 300 men to defeat the Midianite's 135,000 but Gideon was going to face some setbacks.

Sometimes, friends, family and fellow believers will allow themselves to be used by the devil to discourage and bring division in the body of Christ. They gossip and complain as if your good fortune takes something away from them.

The Ephraimites criticized Gideon after his triumph. They complained that he did not include them in the spoils of victory. In the same way, some churches suffer from people with divisive attitudes. They want to have their own way and lose sight of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The devil’s best strategy is disunity and division.

Ephraim allowed jealousy to cloud their judgment. They were embittered and put their own interests above the greater good of God's people. Some folks can get so wrapped up in their own problems that they do not take time to consider Jesus' Great Commission and Great Commandment.

We will not always see things eye-to-eye. Disagreements occur from time to time and feelings are hurt. It happens in the best of families. Learn to put away your anger and jealousy. Replace them compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, even as God has done so with you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Never forget where the true battle is and the true enemy. Our battle is not with people, but with our own selfish human nature, with the world and with the devil. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world." (I John 2:15-16)

Our weapons are spiritual. Gossip and deceitful scheming will fail. God fights our battles. We need not fight and bicker in anger but submit to God's will.

From the Mountain to the Valley

Mark9:2-9

Life's mountaintop experiences can prepare us for the inevitable valleys that will follow. A mountaintop experience is something to celebrate and remember like a graduation, wedding or the birth of a child. At these times faith comes easy. There’s no doubt in your mind that God is blessing you.

But life has valleys, too. These are difficult moments of disease, death, and loss. Faith is more difficult when you’re in the valley. Doubt creeps in.

The disciples were experiencing one high-point after another with Jesus. He had performed great miracles and crowds of people gathered to hear his teachings. It seemed clear that he was the Messiah; the chosen one of God.

But right around the corner loomed the valley of the shadow of death. The crowds would soon turn against Jesus. He’d be betrayed, arrested, tortured and executed. The disciples would be fearful and doubt that Jesus was the Son of God.

Right before the valley, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to a mountain. He wants to strengthen them for the difficult road ahead and lets them catch a glimpse of his glory. He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white. (Mark 9:3)

Peter wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted to build a monument but Jesus had more work to do. He came down from the mountain and set his face toward Jerusalem and the cross. Jesus went to the mountain to be transfigured but came down the mountain to be a savior.

Our circumstances can change faster than Texas weather. Jesus did not promise us a stress free life. He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)

A mountain top experience with God brings us closer to Him. We can take what we learned on the mountaintop into the valley below to help carry us through to the next mountaintop.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)