Checkmate?
Hello Friends,
Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever had one of those moments in life when you feel like, “There is nothing more I can do—all hope is lost”? We have all had those difficult moments and experienced circumstances in which we have felt helpless and hopeless. Moments in which we’ve prayed and prayed (and prayed and prayed) and have yet to see an answer. What is God doing? Maybe you are beside yourself at a bad decision you made in haste, or your child or a loved one made. We protest, “How could this happen?”
We often try our best to stay positive through these situations, but that voice in our head seems to get louder and louder, saying, “It’s over. I’m done. I’m finished. There is no turning back from this.” In those moments desperation sets in, hope fades and the endless questions begin.
The author of Hebrews tells us that even in those moments we can have “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19 ESV) We are told to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV) Furthermore, we are told, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
How can the author of Hebrews say that? How can we have faith, despite all the negative circumstances and despite feeling like all hope is lost? How can we be steadfast, and know that we have an anchor that holds us together in those moments?
There is a beautiful painting in the Louvre Museum in France, known as “Checkmate.” The painter, Moritz Retzsch, depicts a chess game between a man and the devil himself. For those of you who don’t play Chess, “Checkmate” is that moment when you are out of options. It doesn’t matter what you do, all actions indicate you have lost the game. In the painting, the man has his hand on his head lamenting the fact that he has been beaten by the devil. The devil is laughing as there is nothing left for the man to do, all hope is lost.
During a special tour through the Louvre, a group of world champions and athletes were being shown all the beautiful artwork and paintings in the Louvre. Among these champions was a world chess champion. The “Checkmate” painting naturally caught his eye. As the group continued on with the tour and just nodded their heads as they passed the painting, this champion lingered behind. A few moments later the guide realized someone was missing. He returned to the previous piece and found this man staring deeply at it.
The guide asked him if there was a problem.
The chess champion said, “I’ve been looking at this picture and something is wrong.” The guide explains, “It’s “Checkmate, the devil’s laughing because the man’s lost to him in a game of chess.” The chess player says, “I know what it’s called, I see the devil smiling, BUT the game is not over.” The perplexed guide says, “What do you mean?” The champion replies, “Normal people may not see this, but a world champion chess player does. Either the picture or the name of the painting has to change!” “Why do you say that?” asked the guide. The champion with a smile on his face says, “The King still has one more move.”
I want you to take a moment and internalize that thought, “the King still has one more move.” Whatever you may be facing today, whatever circumstance you may be cornered with and confused by, the King still has one more move. You may hear the devil laughing and mocking and ridiculing. He he may be saying, “You are done! I win! Checkmate, it's over!” Remind the devil today, “The King still has one more move!”
If you have ever played chess, you probably know that the king only moves one step at a time, but with patience and persistence when the king moves, his move can change the entire game around. That one move is the anchor to our soul. That one move is the assurance that we do not see. That one move reminds us that our God has the final say, and when He moves, all the circumstances and challenges change. Internalize this reality today, “It’s not checkmate, our King still has one more move!”
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever had one of those moments in life when you feel like, “There is nothing more I can do—all hope is lost”? We have all had those difficult moments and experienced circumstances in which we have felt helpless and hopeless. Moments in which we’ve prayed and prayed (and prayed and prayed) and have yet to see an answer. What is God doing? Maybe you are beside yourself at a bad decision you made in haste, or your child or a loved one made. We protest, “How could this happen?”
We often try our best to stay positive through these situations, but that voice in our head seems to get louder and louder, saying, “It’s over. I’m done. I’m finished. There is no turning back from this.” In those moments desperation sets in, hope fades and the endless questions begin.
The author of Hebrews tells us that even in those moments we can have “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19 ESV) We are told to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV) Furthermore, we are told, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
How can the author of Hebrews say that? How can we have faith, despite all the negative circumstances and despite feeling like all hope is lost? How can we be steadfast, and know that we have an anchor that holds us together in those moments?
There is a beautiful painting in the Louvre Museum in France, known as “Checkmate.” The painter, Moritz Retzsch, depicts a chess game between a man and the devil himself. For those of you who don’t play Chess, “Checkmate” is that moment when you are out of options. It doesn’t matter what you do, all actions indicate you have lost the game. In the painting, the man has his hand on his head lamenting the fact that he has been beaten by the devil. The devil is laughing as there is nothing left for the man to do, all hope is lost.
During a special tour through the Louvre, a group of world champions and athletes were being shown all the beautiful artwork and paintings in the Louvre. Among these champions was a world chess champion. The “Checkmate” painting naturally caught his eye. As the group continued on with the tour and just nodded their heads as they passed the painting, this champion lingered behind. A few moments later the guide realized someone was missing. He returned to the previous piece and found this man staring deeply at it.
The guide asked him if there was a problem.
The chess champion said, “I’ve been looking at this picture and something is wrong.” The guide explains, “It’s “Checkmate, the devil’s laughing because the man’s lost to him in a game of chess.” The chess player says, “I know what it’s called, I see the devil smiling, BUT the game is not over.” The perplexed guide says, “What do you mean?” The champion replies, “Normal people may not see this, but a world champion chess player does. Either the picture or the name of the painting has to change!” “Why do you say that?” asked the guide. The champion with a smile on his face says, “The King still has one more move.”
I want you to take a moment and internalize that thought, “the King still has one more move.” Whatever you may be facing today, whatever circumstance you may be cornered with and confused by, the King still has one more move. You may hear the devil laughing and mocking and ridiculing. He he may be saying, “You are done! I win! Checkmate, it's over!” Remind the devil today, “The King still has one more move!”
If you have ever played chess, you probably know that the king only moves one step at a time, but with patience and persistence when the king moves, his move can change the entire game around. That one move is the anchor to our soul. That one move is the assurance that we do not see. That one move reminds us that our God has the final say, and when He moves, all the circumstances and challenges change. Internalize this reality today, “It’s not checkmate, our King still has one more move!”
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Posted in Notes from Pastor Adrian
No Comments