The unusual painting depicts two people with a chess board set up between them. Playing pieces were lined up: The king, queen, pawn, bishops, knights, and rook. Legend has it that one person represents the devil and the other a young man, who is obviously not doing well in the game. With a smirk on his face, the devil believes he has the man cornered. The painting is entitled “Checkmate” because the young man seemingly has no moves left. The game is over, and the devil is waiting for an admission of defeat.
One day, an international chess champion visited the art museum, stood in front of the painting, and studied it thoughtfully for a long time. Finally, he called the museum curator over and said to him, “Sir, you need to contact the artist of this painting immediately!”
“Why? Whatever for?” questioned the curator.
“Because the title of the painting is incorrect. It isn’t checkmate, because the king has one more move!”
Are you facing what seems to be a checkmate in life? If so, then this book did not find its way into your hands by accident. God wants you to know that things are not as dark as they seem. It isn’t over. You are not defeated, because the King has one more move!
Life is filled with what appears to be checkmate situations. At least, that is what Satan wants you to think!
-You may have been told that you have an incurable illness. Doctors have said that there is no hope and no medical recourse. Your days are numbered.
-You may be holding legal papers in your hands that spell out the terms of your divorce. As you read through the tears, you are feeling that life as you knew it is over.
-Your heart may be broken by a wayward son or daughter or an unsaved spouse or parent. Their eyes are blinded to the truth of the Gospel and they are drifting farther and farther away from you.
-You may be suffering financial ruin. Through calamity, your security and standard of living have been suddenly swept away.
-You may be reading this in prison. Perhaps you are serving life without parole or you are on death row. You are wondering if there is any purpose remaining for your life, any hope of a meaningful future.
-Perhaps you can’t seem to get free from the abuse you have suffered. You have wrestled for years with rejection, bitterness, or unforgiveness. Perhaps you are struggling with guilt and shame over things you did in the past.
-If you have recently lost a loved one through death, you are facing the ultimate checkmate. Right now, you may feel like life isn’t worth living.
These are all examples of checkmate situations, difficult circumstances which erect a seemingly impenetrable barrier. These are the stop signs of life.
If you are like most people, you will not experience a checkmate just once in your lifetime. You will repeatedly come up against situations where it seems like all is lost and the enemy has won.
That is when you must remember that it isn’t over yet. You must visualize the classic painting called "Checkmate" and realize that the King has one more move. In fact, the entire Word of God is a record of moves by our King. God always has on more move!
Proverbs 3:5-10 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."
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