Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the  Lord is your strength and stronghold.--Nehemiah 8:10, AMPC

When our washer was pronounced as irreparable by the repairman, the LORD gave me a good laugh with His play on words. 

Things had been tight lately, and a bit stressful, although God always, as He had, made things sooooooooo much better than they would have been, especially if we hadn't known how to claim our tithers' rights, and otherwise take out stand against the enemy. 

The washer, which I'd named "Martha" years earlier--because she does a lot of hard work, like the Martha in the Bible in Luke chapter 10--had somehow gotten a hole in the tub, so that water spilled out. Everything else worked, but this was a major deal.

"OK, LORD," I said quietly, "You knew this ahead of time, even before the world began, and I thank You that You have a great deal on a washer for us. We receive it. Thank You that You are so good, all the time, and that we have no problems, compared to most of the world, and even most of the nation!"

I looked into the washer and looked into it. "Martha," I said, imagining our new machine, "move over. There's a new Martha in town!"

I had a flash in my mind, like the LORD often does for me, of the phrase, "new marshall in town," and I just started laughing and laughing, till I cried.  

I felt relief, from days of stress that had built up, although I'd fought it of course, with the Word and worship, prayer, and proclaiming thanks to God. He is good, all the time, in every way, forever! 

I looked up to Heaven, and said, "You are so funny, God! Thank You, I needed that!"

So, a deeper meaning of that is, no matter what the defeated (and, as the LORD showed me the other day-de-SEATED, when Jesus whipped him forever at the cross (John 3:15-17)! Hallelujah!) enemy tries to do to you or me, he will not prevail, for the "new Marshall in town," is Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the LORD of lords, Who is for us and with us, forever--and Who is coming back soon! Hallelujah!

¹² Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions  and his own work merit.--Revelation 22:12, AMPC

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.