V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Here's your challenge from God's Word for this week:
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:30-31
Victory.
We all want it. Who doesn't? What athlete doesn't want to win the gold medal or the 1st place trophy? What kid wants to come in last place? We want to win.
But what if the stakes are higher? What if we aren't just walking through life trying to win games and competitions? What if we are in a battle? What then?
BATTLES ARE REAL AND ON GOING
The tensions between Russia and Ukraine are at an all-time high. And it makes us wonder, will there be a battle?
Well, whether or not Russia invades, you and I are also preparing for a battle each and every day. I'm not talking about the battle to get your kids ready for school. Or the battle of fighting traffic to get there. Or even fighting the grocery cart with the one bum wheel (that's the worst). It's a battle that cannot be seen, but is real and ongoing nonetheless.
Right now there is a spiritual battle raging in our world against an invisible enemy. It's not something you can run from or ignore. There's no country in the world that can grant you asylum until it blows over. It's a spiritual battle, and it's lead by our enemy, the devil, and his army of fallen angels.
His attacks are sometimes very subtle: A discouraging thought, a reminder of our past sins, an attitude, an ungodly message in a movie or song, or a temptation to indulge in that secret sin one more time. And sometimes, as Job found out, his attacks are more overt and devastating.
These are all designed to do what the enemy does best: To steal our joy, kill our effectiveness as a follow of Jesus, and destroy our lives. Don't be fooled. The enemy is not stupid. He will promise peace, satisfaction, or happiness only to turn around and take those very things from us.
GOD IS THE VICTORY
Solomon reminded us not to despair because there is nothing that can be victorious over God! That means victory belongs to those who belong to Jesus.
There is nothing: NO WISDOM, NO INSIGHT, NO PLAN that can succeed again the Lord. WOW! That ought to bring you some comfort today. It should also cause you to run to the Lord with whatever battle is raging in your life right now.
Paul, in the New Testament, did that very thing when he wrote:
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-25
Remember where you hope, your joy, your victory comes from today. It's not self-help books, Oprah, or even your own willpower. It comes from Jesus Christ our Lord. So call out to Him today.
Father, I need a spiritual victory. A battle has been raging inside, and I need you to fight for me. Please give me your peace, joy, and love as I trust you through this battle. I know that victory belongs to you. Thank you for delivering me through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.