Devotional

Victory in Jesus

December 2, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever.

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood.

He loved me e’er I knew Him

And all my love is due Him.

He plunged me to victory

Beneath the cleansing flood!

She was in prayer. “Dear God”, she prayed, “I didn’t handle that well. Please forgive me”. Then the words to this dear old song rang through her heart and she knew the joy of victory over thoughts that drag us down, thoughts emphasizing how unworthy we are, instead of giving glory to God for how worthy He is!

The God we worship seeks us out in our darkest moments, demonstrating the reality of true love, which loves in spite of our weaknesses. He puts His arms around us and draws us to His breast….the God of all comfort, as Paul describes Him (2 Corinthians 1:3). I wonder if I am willing to go that far with someone, a brother or sister perhaps who needs to see Jesus in their moments of weakness and despair? Or do I resort to righteous anger when I see someone fall? Knowing my own tendencies, will I lift another up or do I criticize, dwelling on their failure to measure up to a standard I think we all should be reaching for?

The lyricist recognizes that all our love is due the one who first loved us (1 John 4:19). Exercising the love God gifts us with, will raise others up out of the slough of despond, as the author of Pilgrim’s Progress puts it. The very victory we need can be passed on to others whom God is seeking to bless through you and me. What an awesome thought!

Paul describes a mystery in our scripture reading. Perhaps part of that mystery is the fact that death has been swallowed up in victory. Sin cannot sting us because God has provided the antidote. “He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Victory is for His church – the corporate body of believers who defy the power of death by raising the flag, by celebrating the victory!

Where does the victory come from? His redeeming blood…that costly sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. You and I do not need to suffer any longer because His blood covers us like a blanket of righteousness. In humility Jesus gave up His position and place to come to earth to die for you and me, so that we would gain the victory over sin and despair, over guilt and shame. We do need to receive His gift of love, however. A gift is of no value whatsoever if we do not receive it.

Reflection:

When we rejoice in the Lord, in the power of His Word, we demonstrate our acceptance of all that he planned for us. Joy is the hallmark of what it means to be a Christian! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Here’s the thing….in our physical bodies pain warns us we are too near real danger – like putting your finger on a hot stove. In the same way pain reminds us we need help, spiritually. Can we, will we praise God for the signs which warn us of danger, and for His love so freely given to plunge us to victory beneath that cleansing flood? Thanks be to God!

Devotional

Vanquished or Victorious?

April 10, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 44

In an era where spelling is almost irrelevant as words are reduced to fit into a texting format, the existence of the English language may be threatened. However, there are those who still enjoy the richness of words as they contribute to our understanding of ideas, of history, as they paint word pictures and describe feelings.

Vanquished is an old-fashioned word describing those subdued completely in battle, overcome in conflict or contest, or overwhelmed by emotion. There are times in the lives of most of us when we feel vanquished by circumstance – perhaps external, or even internal conflict.

We live in a world of unprecedented choices. One can actually now chose their gender. A growing trend is to examine preferences in early childhood, upon which one’s sexuality is based. Despite physical appearances hormonal growth can be stunted to achieve the look of the gender preferred. Imagine the confusion if in later years these people who are neither man nor woman might long for a child. When we cannot accept and celebrate what God has given to us we find ourselves in serious conflict, vulnerable to feeling continually overwhelmed/ vanquished.

On the battlefield of life Satan has the advantage when we feel conquered. Once we are down we are vulnerable to every fiery dart he can throw at us. But God! In Psalm 44 there is a theme running through this lament, a theme of victory. Israelite history proved God-given victories. He brought them into the Promised Land and settled them there, removing completely those who might have been their enemies. “…not by sword that they won the land nor did their arm [of strength] bring them victory, but it was Your right hand, Your arm and the light of Your face – because You loved them!” (:3).

Looking at the present, the Psalmist recognized the hand of God once again had given him victory: “I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but You give us victory over our enemies [Satan, self, others]….in God we make our boast all the day long! (:6-8).

However, momentarily the Director of Music who wrote this Psalm fears God’s rejection. Experience has taught him that God is faithful. This gives him confidence to cry out for redemption from the present overwhelming circumstance (:26).

He knows the power of God that vanquished the nation’s enemies (:2). But now, for some reason the army is losing the battle. They feel abandoned, rejected, humbled (:9). In retreat from the enemy they have become a reproach to their neighbours (: 13). Now they are pleading for God to rise up and redeem them (:26).

Reflection:

God may be testing His people, since we read their defence written in verses 17-22. Meditate on these verses.

Note their petition is based on the certain knowledge of God’s unfailing love (:26).

Can you identify with this lament? How do you approach God when you feel vanquished?

Where does your certain victory originate?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Uncategorized

Victorious

May 19, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

It began in heaven. The decision was made within the Godhead to send Jesus to earth to accomplish the “salvation plan”. Here’s how it went. Paul enlightened the Philippian Church, writing that Christ Jesus “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (2:6-7). Jesus demonstrates to us how to control pride of place. Status often means so much to us as human beings, doesn’t it? Victory number one!

The story continues. Jesus’ parents found Him in the temple, where according to the custom He had celebrated His ‘Bar Mitzvah’ at twelve years of age. Returning home, the missed him and returned to find Him discussing theology with the Rabbis. “Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers”! (Matthew 2:42-47). We might have thought a young boy, quizzed by the religious leaders of his day might have been timid, but not so for the One who created the system, and the people who were practising it. Victory over fear of what people might think!

We’re all familiar with the “temptations” which Jesus endured during 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Satan tried his best to weaken Jesus’ resolve to do His Father’s will, but “Hallelujah” failed to deter Him. Victory #3.

Throughout His life, short as His ministry experience was, Satan tried to taunt Him, ridiculing Him for making Himself equal with God, for calling God His “Father”. The final blow might have been when people mocked Him for saving others, but not saving Himself. He had wrestled, as He faced the awful trauma of crucifixion which lay ahead of Him, as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. How well do we handle our own fears? If we knew we would suffer pain and humiliation, would we pass the test? The miracle of calling it all off at any point would have devalued the very reason for Jesus coming to earth in the first place – Victory #4 overcame fear of personal pain!

Folks gathering around the foot of the cross failed to see the victory that Jesus experienced by His very death. The reality was He could have saved Himself, but immediate satisfaction would have destroyed His purpose. He had to die that man might live! Hadn’t the angel prophesied to Joseph “She will give birth to a Son and you are to give Him the name ‘Jesus’ because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). And so for us today, we read: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all” (2 Corinthians 15:14-15). Victory #5. Will we take up Peter’s challenge “Christ suffered for you, leaving an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21)?

We know that we will live eternally with Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Our certain hope is based on His resurrection. Imagine life without such joyous anticipation? And He was seen, over a period of 40 days, “giving many convincing proofs that He was alive” (Acts 1:3). Again we read Peter’s words “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact” (Acts 2:32). Victory #6!

Reflection:

If we have put our trust in what Jesus has done, then do we trust His promise that He will come again? Are we preparing for His return? At that time He will have His final victory of evil! Sin and death will no longer provoke us because Satan and his angels will be cast into the Lake of fire to stay, forever (Revelation 20:10). Praise God! Seven, the perfect number – seven victorious moments in the life of Christ, bring us the greatest of all possible joy!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional · Uncategorized

This Sickness

September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 AdminLeave a comment

person sitting on a chair holding book — Photo by Rene Asmussen on Pexels.com

John 11:1-14

Jesus wasn’t worried. He knew God had a plan. As always, God’s plan was perfect. Lazarus died. I asked myself – “How do I respond when bad things come into my life?” Quite naturally, Mary and Martha and their family friends grieved over the death of a beloved brother. They could not have hoped that Lazarus would be raised from the dead – nothing like that had ever happened like that before.

Meanwhile the disciples who were with Jesus were astonished at His reaction to the news that Lazarus was seriously ill! Here was this marvellous healer lingering where He was for 2 days (:5). They knew He loved Lazarus and Mary and Martha. He demonstrated time and again such compassion for people He didn’t know, in the face of physical suffering. Why did He delay?

“This sickness” Jesus told them, “will not end in death” (:4). But then on their way back to Bethany, Jesus revealed what they could not know. “Lazarus is dead” (:14). What a contradiction! Jesus did give them a clue, but did the disciples understand it? He told them up front that this sickness was for God’s glory. How could that possibly be if He didn’t heal Lazarus…..and now it was hopeless – Lazarus was dead.

By the time Jesus journeyed back to Judea Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. In a hot country the body quickly decomposes so when He wanted to go to the grave, Martha warned Jesus there would be a very bad odour (11:39).

What no one understood was the purpose of this disaster. What questions ran through the minds of the disciples as they travelled to Bethany? What expectations did Mary and Martha have when Jesus arrived? On the way to see the grieving family, Jesus told the disciples He was glad He was not there at the time of Lazarus’ death (:15). They probably attributed that to those common human feelings which come when we face pain. He did tell them He was going to wake Lazarus up – whatever did He mean? (:11)

Jesus also told those who followed Him that this was a test of faith….”that you may believe” (:15). Often a man of mystery, Jesus even today calls us to trust Him when we do not understand what God is doing. What happened to Lazarus demonstrated the glory of God much more than restoration from a sick bed (:41-44). What a glorious revelation of the power of God.

This account not only brought glory to God in the days of Jesus, but it encourages our belief today, does it now? Belief in God’s power, and ability to bring to fruition His plans, which, if we read this correctly is simply to make us aware of His magnificence in order to worship the One who is often beyond our finite understanding.

Reflection:

When you and I are faced with disaster, do we believe that God will bring glory to Himself through an unbelievable situation?

What situations do we face that seem to be hopeless, and how does our faith in God strengthen us?

Do we truly understand the God we say we worship?