Saturday, September 4: We shall overcome!

Robert Collier said, “The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor.” Somehow, we lose sight of the fact that ease of passage does not equate to quality of the experience, as growth occurs when we are pulled, pushed, prodded and stretched. We often think that trial by fire signifies an endurance of pain, though that would depend on the level of faith of the one being tested. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego waltzed through the fiery furnace of Babylon, which was so hot that it cremated a guard who opened the door. Yet those three warriors of God danced in the flames beside the Lord, who did not even allow them to smell of smoke when they emerged unscathed from Nebuchadnezzar’s site of their intended deaths. That trio walked in faith, even when facing the fire.


What does it mean to overcome? In the Old Testament, the word is used often in times of battle, signifying total defeat of an enemy. Additionally, the word also can apply to drunkenness, as the imbiber is completely overcome by the wine. Most of us who have lived in a worldly manner before coming to the Lord might remember the complete personality change that could occur because of alcohol. While the connotation of drunkenness may give us a negative understanding of the word, we can apply that comprehension in a positive manner.


Each of us as believers has obstacles to overcome, with the reasons behind those obstacles being at least two-fold. Satan desires to destroy our testimonies. He despises us for the commitment that we have made to serve the Lord. Certainly, he and his demonic host place many of those obstacles in our paths, trying to trip us up. Yet lest we forget, our sovereign God has the right to approve each of those occurrences. God uses those obstacles to draw us closer to Him, by stretching our preconceived ideas of what we are able to handle. Obviously, we can handle much more with God living inside of us than we could when battling alone.


4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5


When we endure tribulation, our faith increases. In that way, all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will overcome the world. It is His victory for us, and we receive the benefit. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we will have tribulation in this world, but He has overcome the world. What must you overcome? Satan is well familiar with the statistics of what obstacles trip us up the most often. Yet it doesn’t matter if your past is alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual immorality, anger, stealing, lying, etc. If your present is with the Lord, then your future dwells with Him, as well.


I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
1 John 2:13


To be overcome by God is to be totally given over to Him. Is there something you are holding back? He desires for you to serve Him wholeheartedly, and in your walk with Him, the Lord continues to uncover parts of your heart and aspects of your life that you are selfishly holding onto. Yet He has promised that you shall overcome. It is God’s gift to each of us as believers, and it comes with the crown of life!

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12


These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Revelation 17:14