John 16:33
‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”’
The promises of God are the surest anchor we have in times of trouble, especially when we seem to think that we are alone. When our troubles overwhelm us and we are fixated on how to respond, our responses can be simple; do we fight or do we fly? That is, do we stand as a Christian in the complete armor of God to defend ourselves in the midst of a spiritual battle? After all, we are confident that all things are ordained and controlled by our sovereign God; he does all things for our good, to those who are called according to His purposes. Or, do we fly away to escape and avoid a battle, even though we know theologically, that Jesus Christ is already the victor that has overcome the world?
There is a third way to respond to the enemy’s attacks that is most devastating for Christians, and the consequence of our actions is the worse of all. Do we succumb to the enemy’s pleasure? I see two common ways in which Christians may fall prey to the enemy’s hands. First, we fall into his hands when we allow ourselves to intentionally sin and defy our obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. In simple terms, this is a willful sin. For a person who is not a Christian, that is, the presence of the Holy Spirit is not in his life, then his consequences can be deadly because his conscience may become seared (see Romans 1) and not be able to repent and come to Jesus Christ for eternal life. In other words, the door of opportunity has been shut, like when God shut the door with Noah and his family inside the ark, but others were excluded and left to perish. For the Christian, a life of sin may bring ruin upon the Christians’ witness, who was to stand under the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ, which says, “I am the Lord’s.” Time after time, we hear of many Christian leaders who have risen to worldwide recognition, only to face a fall when unrepented sin becomes publically known. How sad! Another outcome that causes a Christian to lose ground or foothold in his spiritual battle with the enemy, is when he numbs himself from the pain that may have occurred in his life. This causes the Christian to be defenseless and not fully equipped with the complete armor of God. Jesus Christ should be our only source of hope, comfort, and joy in defense and in our survival as a Christian. But the enemy does cause affliction that does bring us pain. Instead of dealing and coping with the pain, we build cisterns that do not hold water. We numb our pain and lose ground in our defense because we say in our heart and in our minds, “I am a failure! I am unworthy! I am poor and destitute! I am no good!” The Christians’ focus is all about themselves and not about the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the one to be glorified in our lives. Because this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.
In my daily walk with God, I am confronted with spiritual battles every day, it seems, and with no reprieve. As soon as I come out of a valley and begin to feel great because I am now on a mountain top high, I come to face another enemy’s attack. If it were not for the promises of God in His Word, I would be left distraught and ineffective for service to my Lord. Instead of a bandaid for a temporary fix, however, through Scripture and many failures when left to my own, I have learned to turn to my Lord Jesus Christ for his healing balm that is found in Scripture. My God’s love and steadfast faithfulness endure forever. I am secured. In God I trust. Just recently, I had to turn to John 16:33 in the Scripture passage above. I have come to realize that in this world, their are two kingdoms and they are at war with each other. In this world for a Christain, the peace of Christ and pains of affliction do exist together. But, do not fear, for Christ has overcome the world. I place my trust in Him.
My sweet and precious Eulanda was always seeking these priceless gems, the promises of God in her everyday life. At night before bedtime, as she was sitting up in bed reading God’s Holy Word, she would get so excited and say, “Sam! Sam! listen to this! Is this a promise from God that I can have?” Eulanda was so amazing and faithful in her Christian walk. She, as my life partner and co-laborer together with Christ, was such an encouragement to me and in my walk of faith. I saw how Eulanda faced her battles and attacks by the enemy. I saw Eulanda as she struggled in her valleys in the shadows of death in her fight with cancer. I also saw her when the Lord our God would lead her up to the mountain tops and give her feet like that of a mountain goat, so she would not fall nor stumble. In Christ, she was invincible. When I looked at Eulanda, I saw Jesus, for her desire was to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). Eulanda was God’s child and God gave her a great measure of faith, specially designed for her. In return, Eulanda blessed and encouraged me and others. In the same way, I am encouraged to press on to the high calling for which Christ my Lord has called me. I am determined to be bold and confident, not in myself, but in my God, who has given me a wealth of rich and precious gems as revealed in Scripture, the promises of God. I have hope standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the Promises
by Russell K. Carter, 1886
- Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.- Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
- Refrain:
- Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. - Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God. - Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. - Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God