The Victor

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

So the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. The greatest thing about the game, besides the commercials and the great ending for Peyton Manning’s amazing career is that we now have a break from football for about six months!

For the past several weeks, my husband has recorded the Seattle Seahawks’ games when they aired Sundays while we were in church.  They are his favorite team.  I am a tried-and-true Cowboy fan.  But since my team was out of the mix early on when Romo reinjured his shoulder, I, being the kind person that I am, took it upon myself to support my husband and cheer for the Seahawks–it’s the least I could do especially after last year’s devastating Super Bowl loss from which he still hasn’t fully recovered. 🙁

When my husband records the games, every family member is expected to go into sequester mode so as not to spoil the ending. No social media, texting, or radio. However… unbeknownst to my husband–until now if he reads this post, I always google the game to get the final score before I watch it with him. I find that when I already know that we win, I can enjoy the game so much more. No elevated blood pressure! I’m relaxed, confident and setbacks don’t bother me at all!

No doubt you probably see where I am going with this. 🙂

Fortunately, we don’t have to go through the “game” of life full of stress, anxiety and sleepless nights either. God’s Word is pretty clear about who the victor is.

Christ is the Victor…

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 10:10; 13-15 NLT

…and we too are Victors!

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58a  NIV

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 ESV

Yet I am so thankful to God, who always marches us to victory under the banner of the Anointed One; and through us He spreads the beautiful fragrance of His knowledge to every corner of the earth. 2 Corinthians 2:14 VOICE

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Romans 8:31-34 MSG

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NIV

Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.  For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:3-4 NIV

Some weeks ago, we were visiting our neighbor’s church and I was tired and worn out. I wish I could say I always have faith that everything is going to work itself out but despite my frailty, God encouraged my spirit that Sunday with a gracious reminder .  As I poured out my heart to Him, the worship team began to sing a song  I had never heard before, Victor’s Crown by Hillsong. Here are some of the inspiring lyrics. (The Official video of the song is at the end of this post.)

VICTOR’S CROWN

You are always fighting for us
Heaven’s angels all around
My delight is found in knowing
That You wear the Victor’s crown
You’re my help and my defender
You’re my Saviour and my friend
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

At the mention of Your greatness
In Your Name I will bow down
In Your presence fear is silent
For You wear the Victor’s crown

You are ever interceding
As the lost become the found
You can never be defeated
For You wear the Victor’s crown

Bridge:

Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold shall be broken
You wear the Victor’s crown
You overcome
You overcome

At the cross the work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the Victor’s crown

But wait there is more–not only does Jesus wear the Victor’s Crown, He promises that we too will wear the Victor’s Crown.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV

The Greek word for crown here and in the other places where we are promised a crown (1 Peter 5:4; Revelations 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5) is stephanos. It refers to the wreath or Victor’s Crown awarded to a victor in the ancient athletic games.

Olympic Games

Photo Source

I like how Bible commentator, William Barclay put it. “As disciples of Christ we have a victory which others cannot win and we can meet life and all it’s demands in the conquering power of the presence of Jesus Christ. If the Christian meets the testings of life in the steadfast constancy which Christ can give, life becomes infinitely more splendid than ever it was before.” emphasis mine.

Dear Lord, Thank You that through your victory over all things–including death, you are able to give us the strength to emerge from every trial victoriously! (Philippians 4:13) Remind us when our struggles seem unsurmountable that they are not. Help us not to live life in a fearful, anxious manner but to enjoy it because in the end we win! LH

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is an aspiring Bounty Hunter who is always looking for God's Bounty-- His grace and goodness-- in the mundane and melancholy as well as in the miraculous. She is also a wife, mother of four adult children--two with Cerebral Palsy, grandmother and minister of the Gospel. "You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." Psalm 65:11 NLT

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2 thoughts on “The Victor”

  1. Oh, Lisa— this is just the reminder I needed. I struggle with victory when on this earth, I seem to be under attack! Special for me to be reminded, I am already victorious through Jesus’ death. PTL

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