Kingdom Series: Struck

The Power of Divine Reversal: Finding Victory in Apparent Defeat

In the grand tapestry of human history, there are moments when everything seems to unravel. Times when evil appears triumphant, and hope feels like a distant memory. Yet, it's precisely in these dark hours that we often witness the most profound demonstrations of God's power and love.

Consider the story of David and Saul from 1 Samuel 19. Here we see a vivid portrait of human brokenness and divine intervention. Saul, consumed by jealousy and fear, repeatedly attempts to kill David - the very man who had served him faithfully. Despite making solemn vows before God not to harm David, Saul's heart remains hardened. He sends assassins, he throws spears, he even pursues David himself.

But at every turn, God intervenes. Sometimes through human agents like Jonathan or Michal, other times through supernatural means. In one particularly striking scene, Saul's assassins are overcome by the Spirit of God and begin prophesying instead of carrying out their murderous mission. Even Saul himself is eventually struck down, stripped bare, and left prophesying on the ground.

This narrative paints a picture of a world gone awry - where family bonds are shattered, loyalty is betrayed, and power corrupts. It's a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the chaos that ensues when we reject God's ways. Yet amidst this brokenness, we see glimpses of hope. We witness God's protective hand, His ability to thwart the plans of the wicked, and His sovereignty even over those who oppose Him.

But the story doesn't end there. In fact, this Old Testament account foreshadows an even greater demonstration of God's power - one that would unfold centuries later on a hill outside Jerusalem.

Picture Jesus, the King of Kings, stripped and humiliated on the cross. Mocked by passersby, derided by religious leaders, abandoned by his friends. To all appearances, this was the ultimate defeat. The forces of evil seemed to have won the day.

Yet in God's mysterious wisdom, this moment of apparent defeat was actually the pivotal point of victory in cosmic history. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:8, "None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

At the very moment when darkness thought it had triumphed, light was breaking through. When death believed it had claimed its greatest prize, life was bursting forth. When Satan assumed he had dealt the fatal blow, his own defeat was being sealed.

This is the beautiful, surprising, ironic twist of the gospel. God takes what appears to be defeat and transforms it into the most glorious victory imaginable. He uses the very weapons of the enemy to bring about the enemy's downfall.

As Paul declares in Colossians 2:13-15:

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

The cross - an instrument of shame and death - became the very means by which shame was defeated and eternal life was secured. The apparent triumph of evil became the moment of its ultimate undoing.

This divine reversal is at the heart of the Christian message. It offers hope to all who feel defeated, ashamed, or beyond redemption. No matter how dark your circumstances may seem, no matter how far you feel you've fallen, the transformative power of the gospel remains available to you.

The author of Hebrews encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus chose to endure shame and suffering on our behalf, so that we might walk in victory with Him.

This truth should radically reshape how we view our own struggles and apparent defeats. When we face opposition, when our plans crumble, when shame threatens to overwhelm us - we can look to Jesus. We can trust that the One who turned the cross into a symbol of triumph is able to work all things together for good in our lives as well.

Moreover, this gospel of divine reversal should transform how we see others. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. The most hardened heart can be softened, the most broken life can be restored. Our call is not to condemn, but to offer hope - to proclaim that in Christ, a new beginning is always possible.

As the Apostle Paul boldly declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). This good news is not just for initial conversion, but for ongoing transformation. We need the gospel just as much today as we did when we first believed.

So let us live by faith, not by sight. Let us trust in the God who specializes in bringing beauty from ashes and victory from defeat. And let us never be ashamed to share this message of hope with a world desperately in need of good news.

In your darkest moments, remember: what appears to be your greatest defeat may be the very stage on which God demonstrates His most astounding victory. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. For in Him, we find the power to overcome, the grace to persevere, and the hope of ultimate triumph.