"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30
Yesterday we talked about how Jesus is touched by the feelings of our infirmities because He faced everything while He was on earth that we face. He suffered. He was rejected. He was hungry, etc. We discussed the fact that He left His footprints on the road of suffering for us to follow.
This morning I want us to take note that His footprints lead to victory. He was victorious in every trial and the suffering that He went through. Because He was victorious, we can be too.
I want to zero in on this word "victorious". Our definition of victory and God's definition of victory are not always the same. We view victory as escaping the trial, as a healing from an illness, as a restoration of a broken relationship, as a check in the mail that pays off our debt. Jesus' greatest victory was in His "death". It was when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost that the final victory was won.
Victory doesn't always mean deliverance or escape from the suffering. Victory doesn't necessarily mean a favorable outcome, but rather what is accomplished through the suffering. The end result may not be what you want or expect, but if God is glorified through it and His purpose is accomplished then we are truly victorious.
When my attitude is one that does not return evil for evil when I am persecuted; when I can stand in the face of my enemy and truly love him; when my faith is not shaken though calamity is present; when my light is still shining no matter how dense the darkness-- then I am victorious. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife and even though it got him thrown into prison, he was victorious because he still maintained his integrity. Daniel was tempted with the king's meat then put to a test, yet he did not defile himself. Jesus did not revile or threaten when He was being falsely accused and crucified, yet He did not falter from the Father's plan. Their lives were a true definition and picture of victory.
Have a great day. Victory does not always mean deliverance from the trial or the outcome you desire. Victory is when what is accomplished in you brings God glory.
For Further reading:
Hebrews 11:35
2 Corinthians 4:17
1 Peter 2:23; 3:17,18
This morning I want us to take note that His footprints lead to victory. He was victorious in every trial and the suffering that He went through. Because He was victorious, we can be too.
I want to zero in on this word "victorious". Our definition of victory and God's definition of victory are not always the same. We view victory as escaping the trial, as a healing from an illness, as a restoration of a broken relationship, as a check in the mail that pays off our debt. Jesus' greatest victory was in His "death". It was when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost that the final victory was won.
Victory doesn't always mean deliverance or escape from the suffering. Victory doesn't necessarily mean a favorable outcome, but rather what is accomplished through the suffering. The end result may not be what you want or expect, but if God is glorified through it and His purpose is accomplished then we are truly victorious.
When my attitude is one that does not return evil for evil when I am persecuted; when I can stand in the face of my enemy and truly love him; when my faith is not shaken though calamity is present; when my light is still shining no matter how dense the darkness-- then I am victorious. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife and even though it got him thrown into prison, he was victorious because he still maintained his integrity. Daniel was tempted with the king's meat then put to a test, yet he did not defile himself. Jesus did not revile or threaten when He was being falsely accused and crucified, yet He did not falter from the Father's plan. Their lives were a true definition and picture of victory.
Have a great day. Victory does not always mean deliverance from the trial or the outcome you desire. Victory is when what is accomplished in you brings God glory.
For Further reading:
Hebrews 11:35
2 Corinthians 4:17
1 Peter 2:23; 3:17,18
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