The Mournful Victor

I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest victories require a kind of mourning—mourning what had to be lost to make room for restoration.

Victory will not always feel like victory, and vindication will not always feel like justice. Be prepared to mourn what once was.

I’m reminded of the story in 2 Samuel 18:19–33:

King David’s kingdom faced a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom. In the battle that followed, David’s men overtook Absalom and killed him. Soon after, messengers returned to David with the report:

“My lord the king, hear the good news. The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

David’s first response was not celebration, but concern: he asked about his son Absalom. Though Absalom had wronged him deeply, David still loved him dearly. The messenger replied,

“May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

At this, David wept. Vindicated, yet broken. Victorious, yet grieving.

Oh, to love those who hurt you most—and still mourn their undoing.

Though David was delivered, he still had to face the cost. The good news came wrapped in sorrow. And often, so do the victories in our own lives.

The promise is this:

The Lord will vindicate you and deliver you from the hand of all who rise up against you.

What’s not promised:

The absence of mourning amid victory.

The presence of loss does not diminish the magnitude of victory.

In many cases, loss is what makes victory possible.