Jesus is Victor!
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
Today you can praise the Lord, knowing that the battle is already won! There is no power or authority in existence that is mightier than our Lord God! We are told that Christ has disarmed such rulers - in fact has made a spectacle of them - by way of the cross. (Colossians 2:15)
Take heart, because this means that there is nothing we can do nor succumb to that can separate us from our Father and his Kingship. We can go astray, lead wayward by the Adversary, but we are never, ever hopelessly lost. There is no place to go that is outside of our Lord's dominion! The Psalmist David sings: "where can I go that's from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7) And Christ says. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13). If our Savior is the start and the finish, then He is also everything in between.
Jesus assures us that we will have trouble in this world. But at the beginning of the verse He says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace." (John 16:33) We need not get worked up over the things of this world - we can indeed have peace, for we have overcome them, "because the one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). The Bible tells us that "triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony." (Revelation 12:11). It tells us that we are brave, that we do not "shrink from death." How often in scripture do we read the words, "Fear Not!" Jesus tells us emphatically to take heart.
The tools are at our disposal to battle any attack. As the verse from Revelation above mentions, our victory is assured through Christ's blood and through speaking the Word. Jesus Himself rejects the Adversary (Matthew 4) and rebukes those who's "father is Satan" (John 8:44) with the truth of the Word. The disciples were casting out many spirits in the name of Christ. If anything is annoying you, throw it out! By His blood, you have that ability. (Acts 16:18). We also have the Armor of God; we have been fully equipped for battle through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-17). In our spiritual armor, we are told to "Stand Firm."
Remember that the earth is the Lord's - EVERYTHING in it! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
PSALM 24
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
PRAISE REPORT!
Lord God, thank You for Your Word.
Jesus Christ, thank You for Your Blood.
Holy Spirit, thank You for Your Armor.
Because of these gifts, these promises, this holy equipment,
We know that the battle is already won, that we, through You, are victorious.
We need not fear, we can stand firm, we can take heart.
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty!