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Years ago, I was facing a very tough circumstance that was such a challenge to me. One day my thoughts were trying to convince me that I should just quit trying to solve it.
Sometimes I think those kinds of thoughts are a defense mechanism inside us. The pressure or pain or disturbance is so strong that our mind says, “You don’t have to make this happen. Just step away from it.” That’s an effort to make us feel we can escape. We don’t have to deal with what’s happening. It’s the human spirit communicating that to us. But we have the “Holy” Spirit in us. He inspires and empowers us in those difficult moments by saying, “Don’t back down.” He is telling us we can see what we desire come to pass.
So just as soon as that type of thinking came to me to quit trying to solve the issue, the Holy Spirit began to communicate to me. Here’s how He did it. In that split second, I reached down to pick up some papers that were on the table. Right on top of them I saw words that I had written under the anointing of the Spirit who knows how long ago. But the words said, “It pays to stick with it!” Now that’s direct!
Seconds before then I’m talking about retreating and all of a sudden I see words in front of me that are telling me not to back down. It will pay if I stick with it. So I made the choice not to retreat, and therefore the problem had to retreat. When you stand up and say you’re not going to retreat and you won’t back down, then something has to give. And it won’t be you. It will be the problem or trial or need or disappointment. It will have to retreat from you.
We won’t retreat. That has to become our motto. There are times we have to say to ourselves, “No retreat!” By that we are saying, “I am not walking away from this. I’m not backing down. I’m going to see this to the end and get the great results I want.” When we talk that way, we’re talking GOD-TALK. We’re talking as the Holy Spirit talks. We’re not going to be pushed over and pushed around. We came by faith to see the work done and it’s going to happen.
Now does it get painful at times? Oh yeah. Does it get aggravating or disappointing or discouraging? Yes. But when you have the no-retreat mentality and spirit, you can get past those times. They will come, but you can still be where you should be. In a place of victory. In other words, you refuse to move back and relinquish what God has for you.
Psalm 16:8 has such a strong message that we can hang onto in those times. It says, I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Get a picture of this. God is continually before you. He’s at your right hand. Mighty God is before you and beside you. So why should YOU be the one to move. Why should you be the one to be pushed to the side and back down from what you want? Can you imagine God being pushed over and forced to back down? No way. So because He is before you and at your right hand, you don’t have to back down either. You shall not be moved.
Another version of that scripture says, Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. (Ref. Psalm 16:8 MSG.) You have a good thing going! Stick with it. Believe you’re going to see the goodness and greatness of what you want to happen. You shall not be moved.
Think of some of the people in the Bible who refused to move and what happened because of it. Daniel in the den of lions. Moses standing up to Pharaoh of Egypt. David wouldn’t back down from the anointing to be the next King of Israel. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not back down and worship the image the ruler had set up and compromise their faith. Abigail wouldn’t back down when her home was in jeopardy and God saved it. Peter wouldn’t back down from preaching the gospel when he was put in prison and was going to be executed, so the angel of God took him out of that prison. Paul didn’t back down when a snake bit into his hand after being in a shipwreck and forced on an island. He just shook off that snake. No retreat.
Those types of wonderful stories are not just in the Bible but we have them from our ministry Partners who would not back down. They would not be moved. So they received miracles. Now be encouraged in your heart that you can receive what’s on your heart.
A Spiritual Powerline to say out loud:
“I WILL NOT RETREAT!”
Here is a powerful prayer to say out loud:
Lord, thank You for giving me a no-retreat spirit. I’ve got a good thing going in You and I’m not letting go of it. I know that You will bring to pass what is right for my life. So I take my stand and put my faith in You for Your will to be done and my desires to come to pass. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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