Staying Behind

“And it happened, in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.” 1 Chronicles 20:1

David stayed behind and lost a different battle.

Lord, we desire to stay in the battles you want us in. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Day to Day

Lord, You know when we’re weary
of the battles day to day
wanting to just check out
and avoid the fray

so please strengthen us
to enter in once more
and be lifted by the fact
You’ve already won the war.

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on May 1, 2012 at 7:35 am Comments (33)
Tags: battles, Christian, devotions, encouragement, poetry, prayer, staying behind

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33 Comments

On May 1, 2012 at 7:44 am Caddo Veil said:

Oh SIS! This is an excellent word–the reminder that He’s already won, when I want to Check Out of the Fray–WOW, thank you for this–Praise His Holy Name!! God bless you, and everyone at Tuesday Church! Love you, sis Caddo
On May 1, 2012 at 7:58 am Debbie said:

Dearest Deb –
I was going to write a post on this and still may someday… Your lovely poem brings to mind this quote by L.L. Letgers – co-founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ (Eph 1:3). If you run over in your mind and find one single blessing with which God might bless us today, with which He has not already blessed us, then what He told Paul was not true at all, because He said, ‘God hath.’ It is all done. ‘It is finished.’ God hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies! The great pity of it all is that we are saying, ‘O God bless us, bless us in this, bless us in that!” and it is all done. He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.”

I read this years ago in The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. I’ve quit praying to be blessed and started praying to be to learn to appropriate. It is finished! 😀
Debbie
On May 1, 2012 at 8:07 am Caddo Veil said:

Oh, I’m glad I checked back in real quick, before falling into bed. Sis, this is exactly what I’m hearing from my Bible teachers–that we should be praying “thanks”, instead of the other. Truly, it is all finished, completed–we have what we need, in HIM. Thanks, Debbie B!!! love, Caddo Delight
On May 1, 2012 at 12:22 pm meetingintheclouds said:

>> “You’ve already won the war”
Yes, HE has won the war and He gives US the victory.

What an amazing God!
On May 1, 2012 at 2:04 pm Lady Deidre said:

Enjoyed reading your poem post over a good cup of coffee — it doesn’t get much better than that!
God Bless You!
On May 1, 2012 at 2:55 pm terry1954 said:

very good indeed!!!
On May 1, 2012 at 3:25 pm tedgriffith said:

Thank you for your words today! So tempting to stay away from the ‘battles’ of today. But no war, physical, emotional or spiritual, was ever won by retreat. Be blessed today! 🙂
On May 1, 2012 at 3:44 pm Rob Barkman said:

Debbie, For me, it is a battle for me to fight the battles that need fought and ignore the battles that are dangerous for me to enter. I guess, it is all about being good servants in the battle that He has placed before us… loving Him and loving others! Thank you for the posting.
On May 1, 2012 at 4:31 pm Desiray said:

You my friend and sister in Christ is a blessing. I won’t say what it is but you know..Thank you so much and I know God is going to reward you beyond your imagination…Thanks for seeing the heart of God..
On May 1, 2012 at 8:28 pm gladwellmusau said:

Debbie,

I have truly missed your poems. This one went deeper for me. Yes… God has given grace and victory in all my battles. Looking forward to catch up with you.

Love and blessings,

Gladwell
On May 2, 2012 at 1:06 am Pat said:

Hello Debbie what a good poem and I did so enjoy it,the battles are more intense for sure! And there are times we feel totally defeated,but thank God feelings have nothing to do with it.As we trust God in the battles the stronger we become.
so please strengthen us
to enter in once more
and be lifted by the fact
You’ve already won the war.Amen! You’ve already won the war,oh God help us to remember this,thanks for the reminder Debbie that the battle is won!
Love you 😀
On May 2, 2012 at 1:53 am Debbie said:

God bless you, sweet Sis Delight! May I remember this while in the midst of something! love and prayers for you tonight!
On May 2, 2012 at 1:56 am Debbie said:

I’m so thankful for our gracious one too, Caddo!
Thank you gracious one for sharing this. I have heard this, but then . . .I forget to do what I know. ggrr! I love you and you being here! God bless you and love on you tonight!
On May 2, 2012 at 1:57 am Debbie said:

Yay for all that He does and has done for us, Mentor Angela! God bless you as you praise Him more and more! 🙂
On May 2, 2012 at 1:57 am Debbie said:

God bless you, too, Lady D . . .and all that He gives you today!
On May 2, 2012 at 1:59 am Debbie said:

God bless you, Terry, as you stay in the battle, caring for and loving your brother. May He give you all you need and more, every step of the way!
On May 2, 2012 at 2:00 am Debbie said:

Oh I love this , Ted! You are quotable! 🙂 God bless you as you go where He desires you to today!
On May 2, 2012 at 2:02 am Debbie said:

So good a point, Rob, and so true! Praying now for Him to help us know where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do there. God bless you and your heart that is wanting His will above yours always!
On May 2, 2012 at 2:04 am Debbie said:

I see His heart in you, dear Desiray! God bless you as you keep fighting the good fight and reaching out to the lost, in Jesus name! You are a front line warrior.
On May 2, 2012 at 2:06 am Debbie said:

Oh Gladwell . . .thank you for coming by, dear wonderful encouraging one! Praying for you and yours, for all the battles that go on, on a daily basis, that you keep stayed on Him in. God bless you! love and prayers!
On May 2, 2012 at 2:09 am Debbie said:

Oh our precious Pat . .. your comment boosted me and strengthened me! 🙂 You are like the ones that held up Moses’ arms. God bless you as you keep standing strong in Jesus! love and prayers!
On May 2, 2012 at 2:25 am Linda said:

Battles are grueling whether in Bible times or today. I’m glad God will forgive us all.
On May 2, 2012 at 2:29 am terry1954 said:

thank you dear friend…….
On May 2, 2012 at 2:49 am Debbie said:

You are so right, for those times we just don’t get it right! God bless you and strengthen you tonight, dear Linda! love and prayers!
On May 2, 2012 at 1:36 pm Desiray said:

thank you so much Debbie, keep me in your prayers for it’s not always so easy as you know for yourself being a Christian.
On May 2, 2012 at 3:59 pm Pat said:

Hi Debbie I sure needed that encouragement today,mercy I’ve been in the down a while,finances-finances!!
Love you 😀 😀
On May 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm Tahlitha Chadwick said:

“Lord, we desire to stay in the battles you want us in. And here’s a simple poem . . .”

Beautiful Debbie, just beautiful.
On May 2, 2012 at 9:52 pm You Can’t: How to Make Your Spouse… | justmyfaithtalking said:

[…] https://iftodaywehear.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/staying-behind/ […]
On May 3, 2012 at 6:48 am Debbie said:

God bless you, Tahlitha, right where you are! Thank you for stopping by and for the shout out today! 🙂
On May 3, 2012 at 6:49 am Debbie said:

Asking Jesus to make a way for you, to cover all your needs this day, and provide you with His peace! love you!
On May 3, 2012 at 5:53 pm Tahlitha Chadwick said:

You’re very welcome, and thank you.
On May 4, 2012 at 1:23 am Tom Raines said:

Great reminder to go where we know God desires us to be…
On May 4, 2012 at 2:00 am Debbie said:

I think you’re there, Tom! 🙂 God bless you!