Knocked down, but not knocked out

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  – 2 Corinthians 4.8-10

I remember the first time I ever really encountered this verse. I don't remember when, but would guess it was at least. 35 years ago or so. When I heard it I thought about an illustration as the preacher spoke.

I am ashamed to it it, but back then I was something of a fan of professional wrestling. I have lost track of all of the various organisations, but this was back in the days of WWF.

One of the good guys, or bad guys depending on the year, was a fella named Hulk Hogan. He was a big guy with long stringy blond hair. Nearly every fight he would be on the mat ready for the count. Somehow he would lift his shoulder. Then he'd roll over and get to his knees. Ignoring the blows of his opponent he would stand up whole glaring at his opponent. He'd rip off his shirt and tear into the other fighter and working seconds the other guy would be pinned, the ref would count to three, and the fight would be over. Hulk was well known for a knack of being knocked down and nearly defeated, but he would not be knocked out.

This passage has always stuck in my head. Serving the Lord can be a challenge. He can be a lot like a wresting match. We can be on the mat, ready for the count, and feeling defeated.

Paul talks about that. They were hard pressed but not crushed. They were perplexed, but not in despair. They were persecuted, but not forsaken. They were struck down, but they would not be destroyed.

I find that so often the biggest blows come after a victory. Just last Sunday we had a day of great victory. We drove down to Greystones and had two baptisms. It was one of there highlights of our ministry.  We have a young Irish couple who have begun attending church and are looking like they will be with us for the foreseeable future. Things were feeling great.

But then this week there has been a struggle for some folks we are really close to. It has been a blow. Sometimes it seems we can’t buy a victory without some kind of defeat.

And so it goes. Even though we may get knocked down again and again and again but we can't afford to get knocked out. We need to find our strength in Christ and some how get back up again. I think about Christian and his massive battle with Apollyon in Pilgrim's Progress.

Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, I am void of fear in this matter. Prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no farther: here will I spill thy soul. And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breast; but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail; by the which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Christian give a little back: Apollyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent: for you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian’s sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am sure of thee now: and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise, Mic. 7:8; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us. Rom. 8:37. And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon wings, and sped him away, that Christian saw him no more. James 4:7.

Though I fall, I will arise – amen and amen.