The King still has one more move

John Ortberg wrote in his book, “When the game is over, It All Goes Back Into the Box", the story of two men in a museum who saw a painting of a chess game. 

One character in the painting looked like a man and the other looked very much like the devil. 

The man was down to his last piece. The title of the painting was “Checkmate.” 

One of the two men looking at the painting was an international chess champion. Something about the painting intrigued him. He began to study it. He grew so engrossed that the man with him got a little impatient and asked what he was doing. The chess champion said, “Something about this painting bothers me. I want to study it for a while and you go ahead and wander around.”

When the friend came back, the chess master said, “We must locate the man who painted this picture. We must tell him he must either change the picture or change the title. I have determined there is something wrong with it.” 

His friend asked, “What’s wrong with the painting?” 

The man replied, “It is titled ‘Checkmate,’ but the title is wrong. The game is not over. The king still has one more move.” (Ortberg, 2007, 238-239) 

Click here to view image. 

Sometimes we think that the game is over, but we need to remember that the King still has one more move. 

He certainly did with Daniel. Daniel was thrown into the Fiery furnace because he would not bow down to the image the king of the day had set up… but The King still had one more move, and Daniel came out of the furnace with our a hair on his head singed. 

I’m currently making my way though the OT book of Exodus, and I’ve just read about how God parted the Red Sea— the Israelites were being chased by Pharaoh had his army, and as the Egyptians were approaching, the King had one more move, and He protected His chosen followers. 

On the worst day in human history, when Jesus was nailed to the cross, it seemed that all hope was lost. But, the King had one more move, and three days after His death, Jesus Rose Again. 

Remember loved, ones, The King has one more move. Every time. 

Jesus is

As I was enjoying my quiet time not too long ago, I read these words: "The same Jesus who called Lazarus back from the grave is calling you to abundant life. You may be lonely; He is with you always. You may be anxious; He cares for you. You may be tired; He is rest. You may be lost; He is the way. You may be angry; He is love. You may be broken; He was wounded to heal you. You may be addicted; He is freedom. You may be in darkness; He is a great light. You may be dying; He is the resurrection and the life." (You version bible plan. When God doesn't make sense) 

Interesting words those are. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, Jesus is there, with the right and appropriate action/response. 

Lost, scared, alone, afraid, Jesus has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He is with us. Our Emmanuel.

What a difference a little bit of prayer can make.

As I read my Bible I'm making notes about various things. For example, I have a list of Names for God as He would reveal different Names to different people in the Old Testament. Some of the meaning of these names are wonderful to ponder on and use in prayer. 

I have also been keeping track of some of the Prayers recorded in the Bible. So far, I have quite the list. (some of these prayers can be found in Daniel 9:4-19,  Eph. 3:16-21, and probably the GOAT is Psalm 51.

But The prayer that I was looking at today is a close runner up. 

Its the follow up chapter to 1 Kings Chapter 18.

We all have a 1 Kings chapter 18, also known and a “mountain top experience with God”, and 1 Kings 18 was Elijah’s. God showed up that day in a powerful way and completely burned the up. It’s a wonderful story and deserves to be read again and again. 

But sometimes we forget the next chapter. If 1 Kings 18 is Elijah at his best, then 1 kings 19 is Elijah at his honest. One could make the case that Elijah had become depressed. Or stressed out. Or he wanted out. Or all of them. 

After all, there was a hit on his life. He wanted to end it all. He even thought he was the only God follower in left in the entire land. So, what Does he do. He sleeps. He eats. Then he sleeps some more. The he goes on a 40 day journey where he comes face-to-back with Almighty God, who encourages Him and Blesses Him and gives Elijah His instructions… read and Hear this for yourself:

“When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” (NLT2)

We’ve all had an experience like this. What we need to do when we’re in the same place as Elijah is to follow his example. Get some rest. Eat some good food. Set out in prayer and hold nothing back. Tell God exactly what’s up and what’s going wrong, and see how He shows up in your life. 

I love reading some of the great prayers of the Bible. I love praying some of the great prayers of the Bible. God loves it when we pray some of the great prayers of the Bible, but He also loves it when we prayer our own, open and honest prayers, just like Elijah did. 

so, if you’re having one of those days, get some rest, get some food and start praying in a quite place.