December 21, 2011
“For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4)
They say that more people, even Christians, deal with chronic depression more than any other emotional problem. But Christians have more to be "up" about than any people in the world. How can this be? But for reasons of clinical depression, many are just ignorant of who they are in Christ and that Satan has come to steal their peace and sense of well being by feeding into their minds condemnation over past sins, fearful thoughts of the future and a strong sense of self- consciousness rather than God consciousness. Satan wins the battle of the mind when we listen to his accusing and doubtful thoughts instead of putting in our hearts what God has said about us, His children. We must learn to look at ourselves, and our circumstances, and our world like God sees them. He looks at us with eyes of love, and those eyes He sees victory over Satan.
Jesus was born into this world in the worst circumstances possible, except for the fact that He was loved and wanted by His parents. As He grew physically, He also grew strong in the knowledge of Who He was. He knew He had a purpose in this life and lived every day to reach His victorious goal. Satan tried to make Him fall and be led aside from His purpose by tempting Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-10). But Jesus was victorious over all of them because He knew Who He was (the Son of God); He recognized His enemy’s tactics (deceit and appealing to His flesh – pride) and He defeated His enemy with the Word of God.
Christ had His greatest victory at the cross when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His purpose for coming to earth was finished; the plan of our salvation was finished – He was victorious over sin, the grave and hell!
By trusting in God’s Word we can be victorious in all our temptations. If we obey His commandments God has made us the “head and not the tail, above and not beneath,” (Deut.28:13). If we trust in Him and His strength, He will cause us to “run through a troop and jump over a wall” (II Samuel 22:30). “We can do all things through Christ Who gives us the strength” (Phil.4:13). Christ is our strength and courage and enables us to be victorious in all things. He leads us to triumph in all things (II Cor.2:14).
One of Jesus’ names is, Jehovah-Nissi, which means His banner of victory is over us. As long as we march to His drumbeat and step in His steps, we cannot fail, we too will always have victory in Jesus! Our final victory will be when we stand before Him without spot or wrinkle, with clean hands and a pure heart – all because of our victorious Jesus! There will be no more depression, no more temptations to overcome, no more heartaches or tears – just victory!
When it seems we cannot go on; we feel defeated, discouraged and depressed; we don’t know which way to turn; we feel like we are in a night of blackness – that is the time to turn to the light. Jesus is the Light; He is our hope; He is the answer. Only in Him there is victory! “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5b).
Jesus is the good news Isaiah talks about in chapter sixty one. The good news is that Jesus has come to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison of the eyes to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of His favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. To grant joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit. We will be called “oaks of righteousness,” the victory of the Lord.
“Then Came The Morning”
Bill Gaither
Then came the morning, shadows vanished away before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.
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