How to overcome
By Pastor Patience Kimathi
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept [c]My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 [d]Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’(Rev. 3:7-13, NKJV).
The very first step in our quest to overcome is to understand what God has accomplished for us.
54 “Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the Lord. (Isa. 54:1, NIV)
When you think about the woman in Isaiah 54, the instructions of the Lord to her seem strange. How can she burst into song and shout for joy when she has never had a child? In fact, the Lord is telling her that more are her children compared to those of the married woman!
Though, seemingly, a paradox, the Lord is calling this woman to stop pitying herself and understand what He has already accomplished for her.
Back when I was a university student, we had what we called pity parties. Whenever any of our classmates was going through a heartbreak, especially from a broken relationship, we would buy ice cream, then we would all gather in one room and proceed to mourn that relationship.
Unfortunately, the devil has used this tactic a lot on believers; to have them feel sorry for themselves and that way prevent them from overcoming.
The devil is a deceiver right from the days of Adam and Eve. Every time he wants to deceive you, he tries to show you how disadvantaged you are and to make you pity yourself. At such moments, you start thinking you have waited for so long and at times you even start doubting that God hears.
Unfortunately, when you allow doubt to creep and have that pity party for yourself, you lose the battle.
As a result, you must understand that God has already accomplished what it is that he promised for you and he just needs you to stand strong.
The word of God has come forth both for the month and for the entire year. It is my prayer that you will understand what it is that the Lord has accomplished for you and that you shall not fall prey to the deception tactics of the enemy. That way you will fight to overcome and get your reward.