Endgame

Psalms 62:8 NIV Trust in the Lord at all times, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Chess is a brilliant game of both strategy and tactics. The great chess players are always thinking and planning multiple steps ahead of their current move. While some moves seem harmless, or lack sense, they are always made with the end goal in mind. It is a beautiful picture of God’s work in our lives. While involved in ordering every step of our lives, He is always focused on the endgame.

God leads each of us on a faith journey to live an intimate love relationship with him; that is his endgame. But to reach that destination, there is one bridge that every individual must cross. When we stop relying on ourselves and learn to rely completely on God. God as our provider, our healer, our defender, trusting his ways are always higher than ours. Surrendering to his lordship every day, in every area, under every circumstance. Allowing God and God alone to order and direct our lives.

This is the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-45. Every step, every unjust deed, and every false accusation was used by God to mold and shape Joseph’s life and character so he could be trusted as the second most powerful person in Egypt. As the one who would save his family and the future nation of Israel from starvation. God had to remove the pride, arrogance, and sense of entitlement. When Joseph could have retaliated against his brothers for selling him into slavery and lying about his death, he instead saw the hand of God at work. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 NIV.

Jacob had been one who sought to solve his problems on his own, in his way. He outwitted Esau and Laban, but when he was faced with what he could not handle, he wrestled with God and His  way of doing things. The angel touched the socket of Jacob's hip and he could no longer walk in his own strength. This was Jacob’s place of brokenness and surrender and he would now walk with a limp, a symbol of his struggle with God. If anyone is going to fulfill God’s purpose and calling, they will walk with a limp as a sign of total dependence. In our weakness, His strength is revealed.

We will often do about anything to avoid the confrontation of quietness and isolation. But in these silent moments is when God’s voice is the clearest. In these moments, God brings us to the end of ourselves. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the silent wilderness for 40 days of fasting to experience the sufficiency and strength of God. In the quietness of the desert, Moses encountered God in the burning bush. David was hiding in caves and fleeing the angry jealousy of Saul when he clearly heard God’s instruction to honor Saul. Paul was sent to Arabia and later years in prison to come to the end of himself. Hosea 2:14 says, "I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."

God has an endgame, a greater calling awaiting us on the other side of our circumstances. Whatever trials you are facing today, God is not only with you but multiple steps ahead. He has an outcome, an endgame, where you will see his glory. Where He will fulfill his highest calling, your personal destiny, you only need to trust. Trust that he will never leave you or forsake you, that his plans are always good, and to bring a future and a hope. Trust that he orders the steps of those who choose to not lean on their own understandings but rest completely in him. It is called surrender, and there is no substitute; there is no short cut. God is calling you to trust him regardless of what you see and hear. To surrender your heart, your mind, and your steps to the King who goes before you and knows the endgame.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Luke 9:23-24 NIV Then Jesus said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Matthew 10:38-39 NIV Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Romans 8:13-14 GNT For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.

John 12:25-26 NLT Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

Proverbs 3:5-7 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 28:26 AMP He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks in godly wisdom will be rescued.

Isaiah 12:2 TPT Behold—God is my salvation! I am confident, unafraid, and I will trust in you. Yes! The Lord Yah is my might and my melody; he has become my salvation!

Psalms 9:10 TPT For everyone who knows your wonderful name keeps putting their trust in you. They can count on you for help no matter what. O Lord, you will never, no never, neglect those who come to you.

Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

Philippians 3:7-9 TPT Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. My passion is to be consumed with him and not cling to my own righteousness based in keeping the written Law. My only righteousness will be his, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God.

Romans 8:28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Jeremiah 29:11 TPT Here’s what the Lord says to you: I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail. My intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope.