Feeling defeated and powerless is a pretty miserable place to be. So, wonderfully, this is not the place of the Christian.
We will face times of trial and difficulty and the various storms of life, and at times we may well feel that we have suffered loss. However the Bible speaks clearly of us being in the place of victory and winning out through life’s trials. You may not think that has happened in your life, so let me encourage your faith and point you to the victories that are yours.
The Bible talks of those who love God being in the strong, upper-hand position. When we follow God’s commands that puts us in the winning position.
“The Lord will make you the head and not the tail. You will be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.” Deuteronomy 28:13
When the nation of Israel obeyed God they were strong and victorious, but when they went into idolatry and ignored God they came under the domination of other nations. So honouring God and His Word put them in a strong place, which was lost when they abandoned God.
In the New Testament our place of being right with God is through faith in Christ, not in the sacrifices and rites of the Mosaic (Jewish) law. When we are ‘in Christ’, trusting Him for our salvation, we have the same kind of blessing as was conferred on the Israelites.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
The expression ‘more than conquerors’ speaks of an amazing place of superiority. The phrase is also translated as: triumphantly victorious, complete victory and overwhelming victory. There is no doubt that God offers us the place of being the head and not the tail and being above those who would oppress us, not under their power.
So when we feel defeated and powerless we are missing out on something God already has for us.
Note that the promise of being more than conquerors starts with the words “in all these things”. So we should find out what these things are. They are listed just a few verses earlier.
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35
God is saying that in tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, poverty, danger or war we are more than conquerors.
That lines up with the promises given to us in Psalm 91, which is a psalm I highly commend to you for God’s promises of protection and care.
“Even if a thousand fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you.” Psalm 91:7
Psalm 91 also speaks of us being like chicks under the wings of their mother hen, protected and safe. Many years ago the testimony was told of a young woman being pursued late at night, who turned and told her attackers, “I’m covered in feathers!” It was her cry for God’s promise of protection to be true for her. Her attackers fled.
Our victory and protection come from God.
“Thanks be to God, who gives to us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1Corinthians 15:57
Our safety is in the fact that Christ is triumphant on our behalf.
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” John 16:33
“Jesus said to them, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18
Note in the testimony of the young woman that she claimed God’s promises. Many things God has provided for us, such as our salvation, have to be received and applied to our lives, through faith.
So too with God’s promise that you are the head and not the tail, and more than a conqueror. We are protected and blessed by claiming God’s blessings through faith.
“Through faith we are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1Peter 1:5
Friends, God promises you protecting and blessing. It may not come as quickly as you want or in the way you want, but you can safely put your trust in God. And you can claim the blessings God has promised you.
So read the promises of God, such as in Psalm 91, and accept that God is ready to make you more than a conqueror and the head and not the tail. Talk to God about the situations you are in where you feel defeated and powerless. Call on God to make His Word real in your life and to deliver you.
Encourage your faith, by standing on God’s Word and resting in your confidence in Him. And may the Lord give you victory and make you More Than Conquerors.
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