victory Archives - Lorri Dudley

When entering a tourney or jousting contest, a knight would often approach a fair maiden sitting in the crowd and ask to fight in her honor. The maiden would tie a token of her favor onto the knight’s lance, typically a ribbon, scarf, or one of her false sleeves (sometimes a brasserie or undergarment). The lady would use her family colors or embroider her own special wording or symbol of her devotion. The knight would tuck the token someplace safe, usually under his breastplate near his heart, before lowering his lance and barreling forward on his steed to unseat his opponent and win the maiden’s approval.

A knight who fights for his lady’s honor becomes her champion. Many historical romances have used the trope of a knight in shining armor, and for me, it never gets old. However, during the Middle Ages, Anglo-Norman law stated that a fight of arms would establish guilt or innocence of a crime, and those who couldn’t fight for themselves, the lame, weak, infirmed, or the elderly, could name a champion to fight in their stead.

We, too, have a champion, and His record is undefeated. He walked into the arena and picked us out of the crowd. He chose us, even though we are sinful, weak, and broken, and He asked to carry our honor. Deuteronomy 20:4 states, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Jesus fought our battle and conquered death. He continues to wage a spiritual war against our enemies and will soon return in His glory to finish them off. All we must do is ask Him to be our champion—allow Him into our hearts to fight for us.

We show Him a token of our favor, not by ribbons, scarves, or offerings, but by our faith. We may be the underdog, but because God champions us, we can stand tall and face our giants, knowing victory is the Lord’s.

“They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:19.

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My middle son is not black and white colorblind, but he can’t tell the difference between blues and purples. His brothers love to point out when he’s colored a purple sky or when his clothes don’t match. The funny thing is, he’s the artist of the family. He’s shown the gift of being artistically inclined since kindergarten, and it has only improved with age. Now he’s moved on to creating animated characters through software programs like Blender. He’ll sit for hours, drawing elaborate landscapes and detailed creatures where the leaves ruffle in the breeze or fur ripples down the animal’s back.

It’s as if he can see things in layers – the bones or basic structure overlaid with curves and lines, followed by the intricate details that give a drawing life, and lastly, shading and touches of light. He may not be able to tell the color blue from purple, but he has a unique ability to see shapes, shadows, and details in a way other people do not.

God wants us to see differently.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

After leading the Israelites out of Egypt and up to Canaan, Moses sent out twelve men to collect intel on the city’s people, crops, and fortifications. The men went out and came back, stating that it, indeed, was the promised land, flowing with milk and honey. They also brought back a cluster of grapes, so huge two men had to carry it on a stick between them.

They also reported back of the great city’s thick walls, mighty fortifications, and powerful giants. Yes, giants. The men shook in their sandals as they relayed how the Israelites appeared like grasshoppers to the Canaan giants. Only Joshua and Caleb silenced the men and said, “We should go and take possession of the land.” However, it was too late. Fear had already begun to spread like a contagious disease throughout the Israel camp. Because of their doubts and fears, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, and only Caleb and Joshua ever stepped foot in the promised land.

Joshua and Caleb witnessed the same land as ten other explorers, but whereas the men saw giants, Caleb and Joshua saw victory. Whereas the other explorers took into account their human abilities, Caleb and Joshua considered God’s capabilities.

The world may tell us we’re small, incapable, or colorblind, but God says, look out and see victory.

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Be moved. Be changed. Love because you are loved.

Tag: victory

Name Your Champion

What if the Sky was Purple?