Devotion 6: An Expected Outcome

There have been so many movies about underdog stories. So many, in fact, we now tend to expect the underdog to come back and win in almost every media we consume. The underdog is one for a reason: they are outmatched, outclassed, and outgunned. Sometimes, we get in our heads that our God is the underdog. I can understand why. We see evil every day, and it can be hard to understand how anything will outmatch it.  

Has there ever been a time when you have felt that evil is unconquerable? Do you still feel that way? Why or why not? 

Revelation 12:3-8 says, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” 

I love old fantasy stories. Traditionally, dragons are the biggest and baddest things around in old tales. Nothing makes them the underdog except our God. There is no hope for the dragon against our God and Heaven’s armies. The dragon is weak, small, and insignificant in comparison to the glory, majesty, and might of our God. The dragon is thoroughly defeated and cast down out of Heaven. He does not harm the child or the woman and is instead left in utter defeat. 

Do these verses bring you comfort? Why or why not? 

Does reading about spiritual warfare cause you to have fear, soberness, or both? Why? 

Sometimes, we can find ourselves discouraged and feeling defeated by the evil of the world. Things can feel hopeless, and we can lose sight of the victory that we have in Jesus. He has, does, and will claim victory. In times of discouragement, it is critical that we look to Scripture to remind us that our God is undefeated and undefeatable. Evil will not overcome our God; it simply cannot, and we can trust that our God will see us through as we seek to live for Him.  

We must come to expect that our God will show up in mighty ways. These verses remind us of the lengths that God will go to fight for us. He will fight for you if you follow and trust in Him. 

Spend some time in prayer, recognizing God for His power, strength, and majesty.