After a successful ministry push or outreach campaign, what is our tendency to do next? Often it is to celebrate. We thank everyone for their participation, recount the challenges and the victorious outcome. We give each other a spiritual high-five.
When Jesus was confronted with 5,000 hungry men and only a few fishes and loaves of bread but overcame the impossible circumstance by the power of God to multiply our gifts, he didn't take time to celebrate or rest on his victory. Instead, "After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray" (Mk 6:46).
What Jesus knew is that the Enemy would not let up but rather ratchet up his opposition after such a victory. The disciples went ahead in the boat not knowing they were about to face a storm but Jesus followed later, walking on the water, full of the strength and power of God that comes from a season of prayer. Instead of being afraid and rattled as were the disciples, Jesus climbed into the boat and stilled the storm by God's power.
If Jesus saw the need to retreat after a spiritual victory I. Order to commune with the Father, do you think we ought to do less? Do you not think that the Enemy will try to cause a storm in our lives, which will necessitate strength and power from on high to overcome?
Rather than spend too much time celebrating our victory, do you think perhaps we ought to focus more on thanking the Father and petitioning Him for protection and power to face the upcoming storm as Satan tries to minimize the victory by spiritually wounding the victorious?
Jus' Askn.
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