Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9 NASB
Remember when David's men had become upset with him because while they were away in battle the enemy had stolen their wives and children (1 Samuel 30:1-6)? Though they wanted to stone David, King David encouraged himself in the Lord. I can identify somewhat with David now. Many years ago, I experienced some brothers in the Lord attacking me. Being raised in a certain denominational arena, God had allowed me the opportunity to grow beyond the boundaries of denominational lines in my ministry. In other words, He had called me to the whole body of Christ and not to only one separate part.
Still, I had dreamed of actually ministering to those from my denominational heritage. I had been asked to lead worship at a statewide gathering, and was actually excited about yet another dream coming true. It was not to be.
Long story short: I was uninvited at the last minute because a letter had been circulated which made accusations against me and also against my pastor. The accusations?
1) I have questionable doctrinal beliefs (that pesky Holy Spirit stuff).
2) I cause division in the Body of Christ.
3) I actively proselytize from other churches.
All lies...hurtful for me, for my pastor, and for my family. I (along with my pastor) was able to face my accusers...but the damage had been done. Rather than sulk and fret over these attacks, I decided to ask the Lord for a song of deliverance that I could use to sing over my own soul…to do as David had done…to encourage myself in the Lord! Following are the lyrics to that song:
Overcomer
WORDS & MUSIC - Dennis Jernigan - September 23, 1997
Verse
Warrior, stand up proud
In the name of Lord Jesus
Proclaim your allegiance long and loud
Warrior, stand up proud
Fight the fight, face your foe and put him beneath the knee you bow
To the Lord your God
To the overcoming God Who wins
You will be afflicted on every side
Though not despairing or crushed inside
You will be persecuted but live or die
Your Lord is waiting arms open wide
Chorus
Overcomer, stand up and fight
Stand up for freedom
Lay down your life
Overcomer, stand up and fight
Stand and lead others into the Light
That can pierce any night
And leads with love into the arms open wide
Of the Overcomer, Lord Jesus Christ
Verse
Warrior, stand in grace
When the battle grows so fierce remember Who wins and seek His face
Dear Warrior, stand in grace
Whether living or dying
Remember to reach for His embrace
For the Lord Your God is an overcoming God Who wins
Bridge
Overcome the foe by the blood of the Lamb
Declaring your redemption by faith you stand
And do not love your life to the point of death
True life begins with each dying breath
Enter your rest
1 [A Psalm] of David.
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, "I am your salvation.”
Psalm 35:1-3 NASB
Even in the midst of my battle with the illness of Parkinson’s - a battle that attacks my mind constantly - I do not allow that illness or attack to define me. The truth is still the truth regardless of whether I battle an illness or battle the betrayal of brothers in Christ or battle the lies of the enemy.
God has called us, as new creations, to be overcomers…period! It doesn’t matter if we are betrayed, or mocked, or scorned, or beaten, or cast aside, or forced to stand alone! We are still overcomers! This is simply our spiritual DNA as new creations in Christ!
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:1-4 NASB
Lies will always come. Betrayals are always a possibility. Physical weakness will eventually come to us all…but not one of those things should ever define us or negate the truth! We are who Father God says we are. Period! Be who God says you are today. You ARE an overcomer and you CAN take to heart these words Paul wrote to the church in Rome:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NASB
Let’s do that today, brothers and sisters. Let’s overcome evil with good!
Dennis Jernigan
To listen to a podcast on being an overcomer and to hear the song, Overcomer, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/overcomer-1574180492/
Picture courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/10/02/13/19/sunrise-3718852__480.jpg