Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Taste of Victory


“But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air.
2 Corinthians 2:14 God’s Word version
I scored a touchdown once.  I really did.  This may not be a big deal for you, but it was for me.  I played football in junior high, and two years in high school.  I was a small kid during those years, and football really was a beating for me.  After four years of physical punishment, I decided I liked things much better in the marching band.

Then came college.  No, I wasn’t one of those walk-on college football success stories.  This was intermural football.  I played with my college fraternity.  Mark, our quarterback was a former high school standout, and so was our running back, Ron.  Honestly, we won most of our games with various combinations of Mark handing off to Ron, or Mark throwing to Ron.  The rest of us on the field were essentially distractions.  We went through the motions of blocking, or going long until Mark had enough time to find Ron and hand off or throw to him.  Ron was very fast and once he got the ball, he usually scored.  So we usually won.

On our final game of this particular season, we are in the championship match and our opponent has been doing a good job of covering Ron in just about everything he attempted.  Back in the huddle, we are gathered to see what play Mark will call next.  This time, however, he looks at me.  “Patton?  You go long.  When you get into the end zone, turn around.  I’m going to hit you in the numbers.  Catch it.  Okay?” 

What?? Me???  No.  Mark was supposed to throw or hand off to Ron.  It was our offense.  Ron left, Ron right, Ron up the middle, Ron long.  Pick one. 

My heart quickened in my chest.  I tried not to catch the eyes of the guy who was covering me. (translation – the guy who was across the line from me, who was looking to see if Ron would come his way) 

The center snapped the ball to Mark and I bolted toward the end zone…as I had done before.  My defender didn’t bother to cover me as he was waiting for Ron to come his way.  There I was, running alone toward the end zone.  Arriving, I quickly turned around just in time to hear a frat brother shout “Catch it Kerry!” and the ball hit me in the middle of my chest.  In a miracle like unto the parting of the Red Sea, my hands found the ball and I held on to it.  I had scored!!

The adrenalin rush was marvelous!  I had scored…a touchdown!!!  I remember my first thought… ‘So that is what it feels like!’  My second thought: ‘Praise the Lord!  I didn’t drop it!!’  I didn’t drop it.  You know, when I remember that event, my heart still starts up again. It was such a cool moment.  That taste of victory.  That sensation of success.  Mercy.  It was sweet.  However, I know of victory that is much…much sweeter.

I Heard An Old, Old, Story…
Do you ever spend much time thinking about our victory in Jesus?  Ever meditate about how amazing and wonderful it is to be washed by the Blood of The Lamb of God? 

1 Corinthians 15:57 reads: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Revelation1:5-6 greets us with: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 

Have you thought much about your victory lately?  Have you considered ‘the joy of your salvation?’  Follower of Jesus, lift up your eyes!  Your sins have been forgiven.  Your guilt has been washed away.  The debt you could not repay; the enmity between you and the just God has been erased.  Settled.  It’s finished, and you are restored in fellowship with God.

After King David had fallen in sin, and his sin had been discovered, he cried out to God: “…restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:12)  Have you forgotten the taste of victory?  Has it been a long time since you’ve savored the renewal of the fire in your heart?  It’s time to remember.  It’s time to consider that greatest of all victories.  For you are truly victorious in Christ…and you will never be the same.  That’s amazing.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, Stir up the fire within me.  Remind me again of the victory I have in you.  Fill me to overflowing with your Holy Spirit and set my heart on fire with zeal for your Word and will.  In your name I pray, Amen.

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