Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Humbly Victorious, Victoriously Humble

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54:17
A perpetual state of unconquerability is the heritage of God's people (c.f. Romans 8:37). This is not to say that our enemies will not have a a veneer of victory upon them and an aire of victory about them; they will seem to gain ground of some sorts. Nevertheless, all of their 'victories' are vain, and will be revealed as merely further strategy in our Lord's ultimate victory. Those who are of God belong to this ultimate victory, and thus they can and should live every moment victoriously, i.e., as victors. Despite what seems to happen or what lies the world, flesh, and the devil hurl our way, we can still live like victors "in the midst of strife" (as the symphony goes). That is our heritage.
"Their righteousness is from me, saith the Lord." Never think that this heritage has anything to do with you in terms of merit. Its availability to us is founded on the fact that God (through Christ) has made us worthy of it. This heritage does not belong to the self-righteous (for there really is no such thing) but to the made-righteous, to those in whom God has not imputed iniquity. Thus, while we should live victoriously, we should also live humbly, knowing that our participation in ultimate victory is based solely on the charity of another and not our own merit.
"We are victors because
We are bound to the Victor.
Victory is sure
Because it is bound to You..."
-Jon Vowell

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