The Hobbs children love to reminisce. A while ago, they felt like strolling down memory lane and going over things that happened around ten years or so ago.

“Remember that time Kedar went flying off his bicycle through the air?” they asked.

Honestly, I didn’t recall it right away. But after a few moments, it finally came back to me. I suddenly remembered what happened, as well as how it made me feel. My knees nearly buckled at the time. One afternoon, our oldest son Kedar was in the early days of learning to ride his bike. Though his skills were limited, he had the courage of a warrior.

“Don’t go so fast,” my husband Kenya and I warned repeatedly. “You could hurt yourself.”

But he went zooming forward anyway, pedaling as rapidly as his short stubby legs would allow. Over and over again, he would just take off. I went running behind him, trying to shield him from harm. In this particular instance, he got away from me.

And… Bang!

Kedar ran smack into a railing, ejecting his body from the bike. He went so high into the air, I knew if he hit the ground, he would be seriously injured. I was literally paralyzed with fear. Only my eyes moved. I felt helpless and nearly certain that this family outing was about to end with a trip to the ER. But Kenya ran toward him, stretched out his arms and caught our little guy.

It was incredible, like watching a wide receiver catch a quarterback’s Hail Mary pass in the team’s last ditch effort to win the football game. I cannot explain the sense of relief I felt. I was too weak in the knees to move at first. But I was leaping for joy in my heart. It seemed almost miraculous that his dad was there to catch him.

Thinking back on it, I can almost see Kenya, such a caring father, standing there with outstretched arms. He did whatever he could to make sure his son didn’t fall, but it didn’t look good at first, just as it didn’t look good initially in Judges 20.

In this chapter, the Israelites fought the battle of Gibeah against the Benjamites. Even though they had God’s blessing to fight, there were lots of casualities. The first day, the Benjamites killed 22,000 Israelite soldiers. The second day, they killed 18,000 more. It looked really bad for God's chosen ones. They cried out to the Lord and inquired about whether they should continue on.

The Lord told them to go back and fight—again—despite having already lost 40,000 men. So they obeyed. On the third day, after about 30 of their fighters were killed, it looked like déjà vu for the Israelites, but God wasn’t finished. This time around, after brutal defeats, He gave them victory over the Benjamites.

God will give you the victory also!

Friend, you may have come against some of the toughest opposition of your life. You may have sustained some losses in the battle. There may be some casualties you can look back on and point to. You could even be facing one of the greatest trials you’ve ever experienced. But don't be discouraged by the bumps in the road. God sent me to tell you that this time, things will be different.

This time, it will work out. This time, the door will open. This time, He's going to heal your body. This time, He's going to save that loved one. Just don't quit. If you focus on the failure from last time, you'll miss the victory God wants to give you this time. This time, things will work out.

Don't let turmoil make you forget who you serve. Don't let the losses, hurts, setbacks and trials God used to strengthen your character and prepare you for ministry, defeat your faith. The Lord is on your side. That's why you're still here. That's why He preserved you when you could have lost your mind. He kept you when it appeared that you were surely going down for the last time. He stretched out His arms, caught you and delivered you.

What a mighty God we serve! Jeremiah 32:21 talks about how God rescued Israel with a “mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” That same hand and arm is extended to you today.

To remind you that God's word is unfailing and that He's going to do just what He said, I'm stirring Ezekiel 12:28 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"

As you drink down the contents of your cup, rejoice that the delay is over. Thank God, by faith, that this time, your turnaround will come. This time, what you've been believing, hoping and praying for will come to pass. The press was not in vain. The tears were not for naught. The purpose of God will prevail. You will fulfill your Kingdom assignment in the earth.

Be encouraged by the realization that, this is not a hopeless case. God has stretched out His hand. The situation is not too far gone. Our mighty Savior has a great plan for your deliverance. This time, the One who controls every outcome has commanded things to shift in your favor.

Now let’s pray together.

God, thank You for my shift. Thank You that, in some areas where things look hopeless, You have declared that the struggle is over. This time, I know by faith, things will come into alignment in my life. Thank You for the blessings, favor, promotion and increase. I rejoice in advance and count it as done. In Jesus' name, Amen!

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.