The painting “Checkmate” by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch has fascinated people for hundreds of years. It’s a brilliant depiction of the classic battle of good versus evil playing out in the pieces on a chess board. Satan triumphantly eyes his opponent, who bends defeated over his white pieces while an angel stares sadly on. Here we find the representation of the struggle that so many of us undergo, and the discouragement we feel when it seems we have been outwitted by the spiritual enemy, a cunning and vicious opponent.
Oh, how I felt this battle with Lexi as she fought mental health issues and addiction. Often it was as if we were engaging in an all-out tug-of-war with the devil himself. At times she would be doing so well, and we would see glimpses of our sweet, kind-hearted daughter. Then suddenly she would be yanked back into the grip of the enemy as the drug lifestyle would pull her back in. And when she passed from this earth, it seemed as though the devil had indeed won.
Legend has it that one day a tourist stood in the Louvre in front of “Checkmate,” enraptured by the scene before him – the triumph of the devilish figure and the desolation of his poor opponent. After hours of gazing at the painting, he asked to see the museum’s curator. Because this tourist was none other than Paul Morphy, world-class chess champion, and he had news to share. “This piece is titled incorrectly!” Mr. Morphy exclaimed. “The king has one more move!”
What an important message! We may feel beat up, discouraged, and defeated. All signs might point to us being in “checkmate,” the devil having taken a commanding lead over our lives and our circumstances. But the good news is that the game is not over, and though we may feel we have lost, God still has a move up his sleeve! He is not finished yet!
Satan wanted me to feel that the death of my daughter was the end – that I had lost. But shortly after Lexi passed, this verse popped up in my daily John Piper devotional: “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-56). The good news is that God has conquered Satan and death through the resurrection of His Son. Sorry, Satan, THE KING not only had one more move, but he took over the game!
I realized that just because Lexi had passed from this world did not mean that the enemy had won. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite! My daughter had been delivered straight into God’s heavenly courts to a place of healing and holiness. How could that be a loss?
And God will give us the strength to fight the spiritual battle that wages on this earth. Though dealing with Lexi’s death has been extremely difficult, it has drawn me closer to God than I ever thought possible. It has led me to some deep friendships with some wonderful people. And I have been able to do some things in her honor that have brought fulfillment and peace to my soul. The truth is, God’s Word says He will use ALL things for good, for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Last week I was playing a tennis match for my USTA team. I had lost the first set and was down 2-5, 30-40 in the second set. In case you don’t know, that is a really bleak situation. My opponent had match point and I was in a hole that seemed impossible to pull out of. But somehow I won the next point, and then the next, and then the next, which brought me to 3-5 in that set. Just the next point, I thought to myself. Little by little, point by point, I came back to win the second set 7-5, and then won the 10-point tiebreaker to win the match!
I could not have dug out of that situation any other way than by fighting one shot at a time. We fight the devil one step at a time, one moment at a time, one move at a time, without giving up faith, without losing hope, knowing that God has the game in His hands. Even when circumstances look impossible, we can courageously hold on, knowing that we are not defeated. Our KING still has ONE MORE MOVE!
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
Love this Kris – wonderful perspective full of hope. One move, one day at a time is all we can do. It so easily becomes overwhelming when I try to do much more than that. But God gives us enough grace for each day. Thank you for sharing this – I appreciate you!!!
Yes, you know and understand. So thankful for that daily grace!
Wow. Live this!
Thank you, Marguerite!
Kris, I have been reading your blog for the last couple of weeks and really find it to be a source of encouragement. This post in particular has helped me this morning to reinforce my desire to let yesterday be in the past and just focus on living day by day.
I am very glad to hear it. I am always preaching to myself, too! Relying on God to provide grace for each day.
Thank you Kris, Lord knows I’m in the thick of it and never learned how to play chess. But I hear him speaking thru your post… Isaiah 41:10
Keeping you in my prayers, BC!
Thank you Kris for sharing! God uses you tremendously to give us hope.
Thank you, Cecilia. I truly appreciate it!
But God! Love this Kris ❤️
Thank you, Gail.
Thank you, Cecilia! I truly appreciate it.
What a great word of encouragement!!
This word is such perfect timing!☝🏼👏🙏❤️❤️
Thanks, Judy 😘
I absolutely love this, because I thought the devil had won. God had different story in mind, and he came back fighting for me. He left he 99 to save me. Praise the Lord!!
You are living proof of the amazing things God can do! Thanks for reading, Lindsay!
Kris, no Words. All choked up again. The painting is my Andrew in life. Many struggles for sure, but kept trying to persevere. And he loved the challenge of a good chess game.
You’re beautiful words bring me comfort. Thanks so much.
“God has the game in his hands.”
Hang in there, Brenda. Sending love and prayers.
Kris, this so beautifully illustrates the struggles many of us face as it seems we are defeated by Satan at every turn… especially when it comes to our children. What a great reminder that the game is not yet over!
Yes, it is so hard to see sometimes but God is in control of the game. Keeping you in my prayers!
This is profound. You are such an articulate writer, and I hope these blog writings find their way into a book, someday soon.
Thank you, Nancy. That means so much. We will see where the Lord leads! 🙂