By Kathi Pelton
Defeat— it’s a hard place to be in. To be “defeated” is to be demoralized; having lost confidence and hope. It is to be completely disheartened. Being defeated or feeling defeated robs you of any determination or hope of finding your confidence again. It is a paralysis of hope that you can rise again.
Over the past year, I have heard from many people; people who have been strong in their faith and in their confident hope— that they have been hit with what they can only describe as a spirit of defeat.
It is as though these people have lost their footing and cannot seem to find the strength or determination to rise up. Defeat has become their identity.
But, the Lord has a word for you— a word of hope and mercy for you. It is found in Isaiah 57:15-16,
“For this is what the high and majestic one says, the one who fills the eternal realm with glory, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in high and holy places but also with the bruised (contrite) and lowly in spirit. I dwell with them to revive the spirit of the contrite, to revive the heart of the lowly. You will not find me continually accusing them or holding anger against them, lest they feel defeated and lose heart before me. For I am the One who gave the breath of life to my people.”
The NIV Bible translates the final line in verse 16 like this,
“…for then they faint away because of me— the very people that I have created.”
The enemy is the great accuser and he accuses the saints day and night— and maybe some of those accusations are rightfully and true but what he forgets is that those who have received Christ Jesus as their Savior are now clothed and covered in HIS righteousness and purity— not their own. Jesus secured the victory over man’s inability to live right or keep the law through his death on the cross— taking all of the penalty of our sins and failures upon himself. He paid the price of your sin so that you can receive his victory and see that defeat is eternally defeated!
The enemy loves to put his ultimate defeat upon those who have been given Christ’s victory.
The defeat that you feel is not yours! It is an anti-Christ spirit that has come to rob you blind. It has come to torment you and convince you that whatever you’ve done has left you without hope. That whatever you’ve done (or not done) has defiled you and left you filthy before God. This spirit comes to strip you of your confidence, your determination and the very will to press through or rise up. It truly leaves you in a state of “fainting.”
But— Isaiah 57:15-16 is for you!
He is with you! The One who lives on high has bent low to be with you. He has come to revive you and revive your heart. He created you and he loves you.
Verse 18 and 19 go on to say,
“I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Though he knows and sees that your ways have been imperfect— even at times willfully imperfect— he comes with comfort and puts praise upon your lips once again.
Then he goes on to say, “Peace, peace to those far and near— I will heal you.”
Peace to those who feel far off! And comfort and healing to you. What kindness and mercy God extends to the human soul that has received the gift of salvation through his Son.
Even when his sons and daughters falter or faint— he comes to you with restoration and peace.
It reminds me of the father in the story of the prodigal son, who sees his son “while he was still far off” and he calls his servants to bring clean garments, a ring (that symbolizes that he is his son and not a slave) and prepares a feast for him. The father runs to meet his son— the son has not even fully repented but he has only returned home because he is defeated, demoralized, hopeless and desperate. The prodigal son had lost all confidence and determination so he believes his only way of survival is to return as a slave in his father’s home. Yet he is received not as a slave but as the father’s son.
“Peace to those who are far off…”
The defeat that has wrapped around you has caused you to experience feeling “far off” but as you simply and humbly turn toward your Father— he will run to you. He will strip the filthy garments of defeat from you and put clean garments upon you.
Where defeat caused you to sell the ring of a son in exchange for a ring through your nose (signifying becoming a slave)— the Father is removing the demoralization of slavery from you and restoring sonship to you.
Zechariah 3 is another amazing example for those who feel defeated.
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.” Zechariah 3:1-7
The Lord did it all— Joshua just stood there in his filthy garments as the Lord rebuked the evil one and then clothed him in clean garments. Then he restored him to a place of leadership (governance) within his house. Joshua could find the will to obey and walk in God’s ways because he was no longer weighed down with guilt and accusations— he was restored and revived.
If you are in this place of defeat— just turn toward the Lord and watch as he runs to you and does for you what you have not been able to do for yourself. He will restore you! He will revive you! He will comfort you and put his ring upon your finger.
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 30:11-12
I am leaving for Washington DC this week to be a meet with some key leaders in both the government and in the church. Please cover me in prayer as I travel and during my time there.
Thank you!
Oceans in the Desert 
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