Gtcotr/ss012620
What
would you do if you had a copy of tomorrow’s newspaper? How much would you be
willing to bet on a game that had already been played? Well, I have a copy of
tomorrow’s newspaper … it’s called the Bible, God’s Holy Word. It is the truth
and I have read the last page … Jesus is victorious, and we win!!!
Imagine fighting a battle knowing you’ve already won. It’s like watching a
movie for a second or third time. You already know the
end. I tend to watch old movies that were filmed in black and white. One
reason is because the good guys always win. However, even when I know it’s all
going to work out and even though I have seen it several times, sometimes I
still get a little anxious when the drama increases, and the star of the show
is being ambushed.
Often,
I have to remind myself, it’s ok … I know how this turns out … it’s gonna be ok
… and every time, when the drama and scare is over, I feel so relieved. That’s our life in Christ on planet earth. We are
guaranteed a “Happily Ever After” life throughout eternity, we just have to get
through the earthly drama that’s being delivered to us by the bad guys.
Victory in Jesus is our reality. Suffering through the drama of this life is
also a reality. God wants us to live a victorious life even when we face moments
filled with drama or suffering. It’s not just a matter of perspective … It’s a matter of faith.
Just
like the Apostle John said:
1 John 5:4 For whatever is
born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the
world — our faith.
Let’s
look at a few examples of people who were suffering in victory on their way to
their happily-ever-after.
Paul
2 Timothy 1 NKJV
8 Therefore do not be ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings
for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called
us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His
own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been revealed
by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 to which I was appointed a
preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For this reason I also suffer
these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until
that Day.
Job
Job 19 NKJV
23 ¶ “Oh, that my words were
written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on
a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my
Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is
destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for
myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns
within me!
Ruth
Ruth 1 NKJV
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t
ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you
live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
17 Wherever you die, I will
die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow
anything but death to separate us!”
Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus
is the ultimate example of someone suffering in this life while keeping His eye
on the victory.
It’s not over until God says it’s over.
Our victory is not in our enemy’s defeat, but in our God.
1 Peter 5
7 Cast
all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are
experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But
may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To
Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God
of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you
have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
·
Perfect
o Mend; Repair; Restore;
Make fit again
·
Establish
o Stabilize; Set in
Place; Confirm
·
Strengthen
o Make Strong; Able to
Stand on your own two feet
·
Settle
o Lay a Foundation;
Firmly Grounded; Rooted
Once
we make Jesus Christ the Lord of our life, we are guaranteed a
“happily-ever-after” eternity. The trials, tribulations, testing, temptations,
and all the drama this world and the devil can throw into the mix pales in
comparison the victory we have in Christ. The biggest
fight we have in this life is our fight of faith. Have faith in God and
if you suffer, suffer knowing you have victory in Christ. Don’t let the devil
deceive you – he is a loser, and you are a winner. The devil can’t defeat you.
Resist him steadfast in the faith you have in the finished work of Jesus.
Resist the devil in faith and he will flee.
Supporting
Scriptures
1
Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers
as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
1
Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who
suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing
good, as to a faithful Creator.
2
Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to
live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
John
16:33 “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.”
