Undefeated

When I first met her I didn't know that she had been the Olympic 800 metres champion in the 1968 Mexico Games.

I was impressed by her singing and her burning love for the Lord. Her name is MADELINE MANNING .

Later on, we met up in the Olympic Village of the 1992 Barcelona Games, where she was telling everyone about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. “In good times or bad, the Lord will always be with us”..

Sometimes we live on the verge of defeat. When life's dangers and problems surround us, we get scared and want to give up.

That's when we need to go back to the most triumphant place in the universe: the cross of Christ.

Jesus died once for all, rose again and defeated death.  He is with us, and no one can defeat us, even if we are on the verge of defeat.

Paul learned this lesson and describes it beautifully. “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ!” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Of course Paul talked that way, with the Spirit of God to inspire him. But take a closer look at those words.

It's easy to trust in them when you're on top, everything's going well and the storms of life seem to have passed by.  It's harder when you're on the verge of defeat.

Whatever you feel, God doesn't change. He is with us, and no one can defeat us!

We have no right to throw in the towel.

Let me give you a personal example. There was a time when I just couldn't face writing this devotional book. Several times I considered giving up. “Anybody could do a better job than this” , I thought.

Time after time, God reminded me: “I'm with you. I'm the Almighty, not you. Keep going, pray and work”..

Remember that God takes you in a triumphant procession. Remember that God has given you his Spirit so that you can do your work. The Almighty is with you. No one can defeat you!