Victory Redefined
Last week I was at a high school conference where we learned about the story of Daniel. Daniel is an interesting guy. He is one of the only people in the Bible, besides Jesus, where his mistakes aren’t recorded. Throughout his whole story Daniel is portrayed as an upright guy that is following God in the midst of some pretty hard circumstances. The book of Daniel is full of story after story of how Daniel stood up for what was right despite the imminent danger that it would cost him. This is where the story gets really interesting. Each time Daniel or his friends were faithful in the midst of danger God spared them. From a fiery furnace to a lions den, when they stood for what was right, God showed up and saved them.
I love this story because it shows God’s faithfulness and His love for His people. But it also presents a problem. Why is it that Daniel was spared so many times while others suffer for Christ daily? Why were the mouths of the lions shut for Daniel, but in my life it seems the mouths of the lions seem open and active?
If we are honest we all wonder this at some point in our lives. When we are subject to attacks, disease, suffering, brokenness, and the difficulties of life, the question comes up: why is God allowing this to happen?
I think the issue here isn’t why God isn’t saving us from our suffering. I think the issue is our definition on what victory is. We view victory as what we experience in this life. If we are honest we want God to save us from our life now, our pain and our troubles. But God views victory differently. God never promised us an easy life; in fact, He promised difficulties. But He did promise two things. He will always be with us, and we win in the end.
Victory in God’s definition is different than ours. The last night of the conference Shane Wood spoke. He summed it up like this. “Victory is not found when the mouths of the lions do not open. Victory is found when you exit the tomb alive.”
We got it backwards if we think victory is found only when the “lions” aren’t attacking. We need to expand our vision. Jesus knew He was going to suffer and die. But He willingly did so because He saw that victory was on the other side of the tomb, not in keeping the lions mouths shut.
Look, our lives can get difficult. Sometimes it seems like God has forgotten about us. At our lowest we think God cannot do anything about our circumstances. But our hope, our victory, doesn’t lie in those moments. Our hope, our victory, lies when we will walk out of our tomb alive.
I don’t know why some people seem to be spared from difficulty in this life. But I do know this: all who follow God will have victory on the other side of the tomb. This should change how we live this life. No longer should we be so concerned with our circumstances in this life. No longer should we live a life of fear. No longer should we play it safe. No longer should we be selfish. Our victory isn’t found there.
We should be boldly going out and loving on all those we come in contact with. We should be generously giving our time, money, and resources away for the benefit of the kingdom. Our victory is found when we confidently go out proclaiming that God saves. There are people so desperate for the hope that Jesus has to offer. But we are often too timid to go tell them because we think our victory is in this life. We think our victory is when the mouths of the lions are shut.
It’s time we start living in a manner that depicts where our true victory comes from. It’s time for us to go into all the world and proclaim God’s truth. Will the lions mouths be shut? Maybe, maybe not. But that doesn’t matter. Victory is not found when the mouths of the lions do not open. Victory is found when you exit the tomb alive.
Reblogged this on 1lordaboveall and commented:
pure wisdom!
pure wisdom!!! keep it coming
Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement!
Thanks for this! I preached yesterday on Ephesians 1:3-14 and finding strength from seeing our part in God’s big story of transformation of heaven and earth through being ‘in Christ’. I hadn’t written the sermon with the gospel reading (Mark 6:14-29) much in mind, but after preaching the first time realised I had to bring it in. Even when we can’t see things through to the end, we can draw strength from knowing that we’re secure in Christ, and that our contribution is simply part of the bigger picture.
We won’t be able to see the bigger picture this side of heaven!
Reblogged this on The Crusty Old Sailor Speaks and commented:
Will this change the way you define victory???
Those who stand tall despite hardships stand tall in the eyes of our Lord; humans know this or not hardly matter.
Thanks sharing a beautiful write up. :))
Thanks for taking the time to read and the encouragement!
It was my gain and pleasure. :))
Regards
Thank you for this. It’s not my saying but I shall quote it, “sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He calms us within the storm.” Both are His mercy and grace 🙂
That is true, that’s a really good quote! Thanks for reading and adding to the conversation!
Victory is defined by God. When we use our puny minds to try and wrap around that word, it leaves us far short of God’s glorious definition of Victory.
Reblogged this on OLÚSÈYÍ and commented:
I’m not really living up to my Hebrew personality.
Permission to republish?
Yes of course! I just ask you keep a link to my page. But you can republish!
Most certainly! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This was encouraging to me as my life circumstances are very stressful right now.
I appreciate you taking the time to read and follow my blog!
Glad you found it encouraging!
Victory is found when you exit the tomb alive.
From glory to glory, from tomb to tomb, from minute to minute, from victory to victory, Christ is always with you.
Thanks for the follow.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
This is so true. Nice read.
Thanks for reading!
Sometimes I think victory is happening when the lions are active. Obviously I am doing something positive for the kingdom if the lions are stirred up, otherwise, they wouldn’t be bothered, right?
I agree, if we aren’t doing anything there’s no point in attacking. But when we are a threat there’s a target on our back.
Reading Job this morning-his reponse to suffering as a man, I thought of a Jesus as the perfect Son of Man and His suffering. I choose to take up the cross and follow Him. and if like Job I do not understand, like Job He will make known
to me His very nature bringing me up into a wealthy place. Thank you Curtis for this article . I love you and miss you. Grammie
Thanks Grammie!
This is a great post and I agree that victory isn’t in avoiding pain but in the way that God brings us through it and works it to our good. He maintains our integrity in every difficult situation when we trust and obey.
I appreciate the comment you left on my post this morning. I accidently deleted it, sorry…I do appreciate your support.:0)
You are right! God uses our difficulty to bring about something beautiful!