The Assured Hope of Victory

Scripture:  I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

No matter how successful we are, death will occur.  No one escapes it (unless the rapture occurs before someone dies). Sin brought death into the world.  (Romans 5:12)  God gives us victory through Jesus Christ’ resurrection!  We are winners/victorious even though we did nothing.  God gives us the victory!  Hallelujah!  The disciples saw Jesus die on the cross, and later they knew He rose from the dead.  They realized that He did everything, and they did nothing.  God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  He definitely gives us victory. Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, those who have invited Jesus Christ into their lives have everlasting life.  (John 3:16)  Now death is a doorway into the presence of God in Heaven!  We have assured hope of victory!  Jesus’ victory of death affects our daily walk.  As we are reading the Bible daily, we will be reminded that the worst that life can throw at us is devoured in the victory of Christ Jesus.  We can have hope! We will know that our light/momentary trials will achieve for us an eternal glory that will far outweigh/surpass any trial we may face. (II Corinthians 4:17)  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  (Romans 8:35-39) Christians’ hope is built on certainty!  Our hope/joy should be in something beyond this life on earth.  

A friend of mine, who is now in Heaven, suffered a lot because she had sickle cell anemia.  Despite the pain she endured over and over again, I noticed that she still had joy because of her personal relationship with the Lord, and she realized that one day she would be in the presence of the Lord.  Instead of focusing on earthly possessions/material things, her focus was on the assured hope of her future.  I will never forget how inspirational Sis. Bernadette Tillery was to me.  No matter what we are facing, the Lord will give us enabling grace to endure pain, suffering or disappointments.  We can have assured hope/victory through Jesus Christ!

I love the lyrics to the hymn Victory in Jesus!

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning.
Then I repented of my sins;
And won the victory.

Refrain:
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him,
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing power revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and brought
To me the victory.
Chorus:

Refrain

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.

Refrain


Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for assured hope and victory through Jesus Christ.  Help me to turn away from sin and yield to You. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)