Psalms 125:1 says, “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever”(NLT). I want to be a Christian who trusts, triumphs, and endures forever. But sometimes my faith walk feels more like a constant battle just to stay on my spiritual feet.
Our faith, no matter how weak, can feast on an abundant supply of Scripture verses guaranteeing our victory over sin, death, and the devil. Yet it can be easy to forget them in the light of the news headlines: More Christians are being persecuted for their faith today than in any age since the church began. The Chinese government has enacted new, harsh measures against the believers there. We see no visible breakthrough in North Korea, the worst nation in the world for its treatment of those who trust in the Savior. Then there’s America’s own spiritual and moral woes that have resulted in instances of hostility towards Christians who stand for God’s truth and holiness. We also battle our own besetting sins, weaknesses, and temptations.
Jesus warned us of the tribulations life would bring. But he also told us to take courage because He has overcome the world for us (John 16:33). Even though life’s pressures may at times seem overwhelming, we are indwelt by the Spirit of this conquering Savior so that we ourselves, “gain an overwhelming victory” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
Those promises are for every day, every hour we live. We begin by hearing God’s call to salvation and by responding with repentance and submission to Jesus as Lord. As we obey, study His word and meet with other believers, we mature. We gain power over sin in our lives (1 Cor. 15:54-58). We pray and discover God’s will for our lives and become the hands and feet and voice His Son, mirroring His redemptive love. We lay down our lives, obeying His final command to go to all nations and make disciples who then make more disciples.
This multiplied church is called to work together in the love of Christ, the unity of the Spirit, and the selflessness of sacrifice. Dressed in the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), we battle principalities and powers of darkness, taking down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), and trampling spiritual snakes and scorpions with the authority Christ has given us (Luke 10:19). This opens the way for us to preach the gospel in season and out of season with gentleness and humility (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Peter 3:15). Wider transformation then occurs as the “yeast” of God’s kingdom works through the “dough” of cultures and societies (Matt. 13:33).
Yet times may come when, by all appearances, defeat seems certain. It must have seemed so to Jesus’s disciples as they watched Him die on the cross. But then came the resurrection! We are called to trust, to endure, awaiting our own resurrection. Having kept the faith, we will receive that crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8) and we can one day rule and reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:11-13). We may feel crushed and pressed in on every side but we are not defeated for we are called to suffer with Christ so His life might be manifested in us (2 Cor. 4:7-11). We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony (Rev. 12:10-11).
The success of God’s plans and purposes in the world and through our yielded lives is guaranteed (Prov. 21:30, Ps. 33:10-11). One day we will join that great throng from every tongue, tribe, and nation, standing around God’s throne and proclaiming “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10) We will also join with those celebrating the victory of our Lord God Almighty and of the Lamb that was slain (Rev. 19:1-9). And we will rejoice as Father God gives us a new heaven and a new earth, free of suffering, decay, and evil (Rev. 21:1-7). Let us encourage one another with this, even as we see the day of His return approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
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