VICTORY IN JESUS
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.
Victory is present, even in dismal circumstances. In Colin Chapman’s book, “The Case for Christianity,” he quotes Ugandan Bishop Festo Kivengere’s account of a 1973 execution by firing squad of three men from his village: “February 10 began as a sad day for us in Kabale. People were commanded to come to the stadium and witness the execution. Death permeated the atmosphere. A silent crowd of about three thousand was there to watch. I had permission from the authorities to speak to the men before they died, and two of my fellow ministers were with me. They brought the men in a truck and unloaded them. They were handcuffed and their feet were chained. The firing squad stood at attention.
As we walked into the center of the stadium, I was wondering what to say. How do you give the gospel to doomed men who are likely seething with rage? We approached them from behind, and as they turned to look at us, oh what a sight! Their faces were all alight with an unmistakable glow and radiance.
Before we could say anything, one of them burst out: ‘Bishop, thank you for coming! I wanted to tell you. The day I was arrested, in my prison cell, I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. He came in and forgave me all my sins! Heaven is now open, and there is nothing between me and my God! Please tell my wife and children that I am going to be with Jesus. Ask them to accept Him into their lives as I did.’
The other two men told similar stories, excitedly lifting their hands and rattling their handcuffs. I now felt that what I needed to do was to talk to the soldiers, not to the condemned. So I translated what the men had said into a language the soldiers understood. The military men were standing there with guns cocked and bewilderment on their faces. They were so dumbfounded that they forgot to put the hoods over the men's faces!
Those three men faced the firing squad standing close together. They looked toward the people and began to wave, handcuffs and all. The people waved back. Then shots were fired, and the three were with Jesus. We stood in front of them, our own hearts throbbing with sorrow, mingled with joy. It was a day never to be forgotten. Though dead, those men spoke loudly to all of Kigezi District and beyond, so that there was a tremendous upsurge of life in Christ, who challenges death and defeats it. The next Sunday, I was preaching to a huge crowd near the home of one of the executed men. Again, the feel of death was all over the congregation. But when I gave them the testimony of their man, and how he died, there erupted a great song of praise to Jesus! Many turned to the Lord that day!”
Unquestionable victory is eternally resident in the presence of Christ Jesus. But we do have a part to play. Consider the words of General Dwight Eisenhower: “There are no victories at discount prices.”
Our salvation represents extraordinary and endless victory. Salvation is a free gift, but it does cost something. It costs the Father, His Son. It costs the Son, His life. And in the Words of Jesus, it costs every believer the unwavering commitment to “take up his cross and follow Me.” The joy of the Lord is not always easily discernible in our crosses. For example, it is difficult to envision sunshine during torrential rain, or to believe for a deluge of moisture while walking through desert-dry places.
But wherever you are, no matter what you are experiencing, Jehovah-Shammah is there. And if HE is there, your victory is also there. In 1933, C. Austin Miles penned a relevant choral declaration, “If Jesus Goes With Me, I’ll Go…Anywhere!” A similar conviction empowered the Psalmist David to raise a song of worship in the midst of troubling of times: “You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
No matter what life’s scoreboard seems to suggest, never ever doubt that you are walking in ultimate victory. We will trust and believe that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) My friends, keep looking up!
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above
all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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