VICTORY

by Tammy Phillips
November 2, 2020

Four years ago, I was concerned and seeking God as to whom  He wanted to be President.  I lacked confidence in either candidate.  On October 28, 2016, he led me to this verse, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV)  It led me to be confident.

He brought me back to this verse on the same day, four year later, October 28, 2020!!!  This verse took on new meaning to me.  I always thought victory meant my team winning.   Victory is so much more.

I wonder if the disciples of team Jesus felt victorious on the night Jesus was taken from the garden, beat unrecognizably and crucified the next day on the cross?

I wonder how many times you have felt victorious when you have sat on your couch weak in strength, feeling woozy in the head, and sick at your stomach?

I wonder if you felt victorious when a friend or family member was diagnosed with cancer?

I wonder if you felt victorious when your loved one moved to heaven without you?

I wonder if you felt victorious when in a moment your dream ceased to exist as you knew it and you had to build new dreams?

I wonder if you will feel victorious if the election map ends up all red or all blue? 

I have learned that victory is NOT just in the temporary but the eternal.  

Jesus’ death on the cross was only temporary because in three days he would rise with keys of death and hell in hand. He overcame death in death.   Sickness is only a temporary situation.  Our bodies were made to heal.  We will heal on this side of heaven or the other, but we will be healed.  Death of our bodies is not finality either.  It is not over.  As followers of Christ, we will live eternally with Him.   It is with great confidence that I say today, the election tomorrow does have great significance.  However, the ultimate victory is not in the end result of the election ballots.

Victory is Jesus.  
Victory is salvation in Him.
Victory is “thanks [be] to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV)

Victory is faith and belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Victory is whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5 NKJV)

Victory is peace in the midst of trouble.Victory is knowing that in the end, no matter what, Jesus has overcome the world. 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

Victory is “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV)

Victory is that we are more than conquerors over tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword, through Him who loved us

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NKJV 

Victory is never being separated from the love of Christ.

“I am persuaded to believe death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38-39 NKJV)

Victory is in the blood of the Lamb.
Victory is in the word of our testimony.

 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11 NKJV)

Victory is in God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.
Victory is God using our testimony to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  The sweet smell of Jesus overcomes the stink of the world.  The sachet of his salvation overcomes the stench of death.  Victory is knowing that no matter what happens tomorrow, Jesus is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords and nothing can change that fact.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to rest in the victory that is Jesus.  He is Savior and Healer of the world and no candidate could ever take his place.  “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away ” (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV) and that is victory in my book, any day!