Whilst musing on paradox, submission and how victory comes through defeat (all while swimming… it’s amazing what thoughts you can have while counting off the lengths… 110 today, if anyone’s interested…), the lyrics of a song I last listened to about seven years ago came into my mind. ‘Magnificent Defeat’ is a song by Wes King, who hasn’t brought out any albums lately because he’s been battling leukaemia. I actually heard him play live a good many years ago and his guitar playing was amazing. This song, though, is reflective and contemplative and reminds me a great deal of Genesis 32, that story when Jacob, about to meet his brother Esau after so many years of estrangement and hostility, wrestles with the angel of the Lord. Funnily enough, the meeting with Esau goes much better than he could ever have hoped for, but it’s this encounter with God which is the most significant thing, because it’s the place where Jacob the schemer and deceiver is given a new name, ‘Israel’, ‘because you have struggled with God’.
Jacob went away from this encounter permanently marked, limping, for his hip socket was wrenched by God. But he knew what it was to win through defeat, for he named the place of the encounter Peniel (face of God), saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” (Gen 32:30).
Victory really does come through defeat…
Magnificent Defeat (Wes King)
What is my purpose for being here?
I’ve had no burning bush
Or voices in my ear
I have been wandering for all these years
But I’ve seen no manna or angels appear
And now I long for the solace of my soul
I have wandered from pole to pole
Here I lie, broken at Your feet
Rejoicing at this magnificent defeat
I have been wrestling all through the night
The darkness hides the face of the One I fight.
Beloved enemy demands my life and all I am
But then He blesses me and gives it back again
And now I long for the solace of my soul
I have wandered from pole to pole
Here I lie, broken at Your feet
Rejoicing at this magnificent defeat