CHECKMATE
The painting hung in an obscure corner of the old museum.
Most people passed it by with just a glance and then moved
on to better-known works or to something more esthetic, like
landscapes or portraits.
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!
7
,8
, CHECKMATE SITUATIONS
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 book 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.
9
, 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 the last move.
10
The painting hung in an obscure corner of the old museum.
Most people passed it by with just a glance and then moved
on to better-known works or to something more esthetic, like
landscapes or portraits.
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!
7
,8
, CHECKMATE SITUATIONS
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 book 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.
9
, 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 the last move.
10
