Former Blackout Artist

The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. – Romans 8:34 (The MSG)

Imagine that your favorite sports team won the championship last year. You recorded every game, and now you’re going back and replaying the entire season while you anxiously await for the new season to start. So you go all the way back to the very first game, and start working your way through til the end.

Are you going to get worked up rewatching those games your team lost? Are you going to become concerned when a key player goes down because of injury? No. Of course not! You already know the outcome. You know how the season ends.

In John 16:33, Jesus warns us, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But then he immediately commands us to be strong and then offers us this greatest assurance: “I have overcome the world.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say “will soon overcome” or “will someday overcome.” He said “I have overcome.” He’s already achieved the victory for us. All that’s left for us is to claim it for ourselves.

When we see what is happening in the world today, it’s really easy for us to lose sight of the outcome Jesus promised. We wish so badly that we could just fast-forward to the end and claim victory without having to endure the battles, the frustrations, the sufferings, the losses. But that’s not part of God’s plan. No, even though we know the outcome, we’re still required to suit up, show up, and help as many people as we can cross the finish line with us into eternal life.

So when you feel anxious or defeated, remember – you’re on the winning side. The enemy may land a few punches and win a few rounds here and there, and sometimes things may seem a little shaky. But know that the victory has already been achieved for us, and that right now, at this very moment, Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Heavenly Father and sticking up for us.

Jesus said it, so we can believe it. Clinging to His promises, we cannot lose.